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Purmort Coat of Arms {set' pas[e S) 



P U R M O R T 
GENEALOGY 

Consisting of Nineteen Generations 
nine in England :: ten in America 



BY 

REV. CHARLES H. PURMORT, D.D. 

Des Moines, loiva. 



Published by 

THE HOMKSTKAD COMPANY 

DKS MOINES, IOWA 

1907 






JAN \j I mo 



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The Boston Historical Society placed ou this pillar ou School street, in front of 
the City Hall. Boston, the bronze tablet seen on next page. 




^ On this Spot stood the 
FIRST HOUSE 
ErectedfortheUseofthe 
BOSTON PUBLIC LATIN SCHOOL 

This School has been constantiv 

Maintained since It was Establlsned 

by the following Vote of the Town.- 

(7t a Ceneral meeting upon Public Hotice 
it urn meed upon that mr Brother 

PHILEMON PORMORT 

shall he entrmted to become 
Schoolmaster for the teaching 
and nurturing of Cbildrer) m'th us 
^ April 13 1635 



■'.j-^ata. 



MEMORIAL OF THE BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL AND OF PHILEMON PURMORT 

THE FIRST MASTER. 



/ 



Preface 

The design of this book is to give living Purmorts and their 
progeny a history of our name and family, so far as the Author 
has been able to procure it. Not for revenue or honor, but for 
the recreation and pleasure derived,, has this investigation into 
ancient and modern records and personal histories been made. 

It has taken over twenty-five years of intermittent effort to 
gather this material for the Purmort Genealogy. No pretense 
is made to literary excellence or complete historical accuracy, but 
many facts are presented regarding the family that have greatly 
interested the Author and may likewise interest some of his 
Uncles and Aunts and numerous Cousins. If the living members 
of the family should not appreciate the effort to place in book form 
our history, the Author is glad to know the dead cannot complain 
and he bespeaks the charity of the generations still unborn. 

No special notoriety is claimed for the Purmort family in 
America, other than that our very first ancestor, Philemon Pur- 
mort, belonged to English Aristocracy, figured conspicously dur- 
ing "Pilgrim Father Days" and was great Boston's First School 
Master. 

We have been a family of neither law-makers or law-brakers, 
nor of Presidents or millionaires. We have marvelously escaped 
all these calamities during our long citizenship in America. One 
fact is very prominent in our history, we have surely been notor- 
iously fortunate in that w^e have so often married into greatness. 
We have added, through these past generations, much pure blood 
to the veins of many of the very best and most noted families of 
A.merica. Ours is only the story of a plain, modest, and what we 



6 The Purmorts in America 

are proud to claim, an honest common-sensed folk. We are only 
one among the many families of characteristic American life. 

I feel I must offer an apology to the noted Genealogists of 
our times for this my venture upon their territory. I am not 
competing for honors, nor am I a rival in any sense. This is my 
first and last effort at book making. I have not been able person- 
ally to make investigations, but have done nearly all this work 
through correspondence. I have been greatly pleased and encour- 
aged by the courtesy of noted Genealogists and book makers with 
whom I have corresponded. I have prepared the book for our 
family tables instead of for library shelves. If time and means 
permitted I would gladly spend several years more and give per- 
sonal research through the genealogical libraries of our cities 
before venturing into print. As all this is impossible I have 
reluctantly consented to issue my book now. It is my earnest hope 
that some future Purmort scholar, using my material as a basis, 
may continue and complete as it should be done, a Purmort 
Genealogy worthy a place on the library shelf. I am surprised 
at the fact that old English Records appear so much more com- 
plete in Genealogy than our American ; and again that it is far 
easier to learn about the dead than the living. There seems to be 
a senseless prejudice againsl genealogies in this busy, bustling 
age. We are surely in no danger in this country of Ancestral 
Worship, but we are in danger of losing valuable records of the 
past relating to our make up as a people and a nation, all because 
we are neglecting genealogies. 

Having collected many facts concerning our ancestors, 
merelv at first for the love of it, and now fearing lest no one else 
v,/ill ever take the pains to collect this material and compile it in 
book form, I am induced to publish the book. I feel it is very 
proper for all families with Pilgrim and Colonial Ancestry, to 



And in England 7 

preserve for future information their records. I have not been 
able to complete definitely the entire line of our ancestors in 
America ; yet I am confident I have it nearly complete and correct. 
The wireless telegraph furnishes me with a good illustration 
regarding our connections. It is discovered, when an instrument 
correctly charged and adjusted is set up on one shore, and another 
similarly adjusted is placed on the opposite shore, that connections 
are somehow made through the intervening space, and that instru- 
ment responds to instrument so that communications are carried 
on correctly by parties managing the work. Thus it is that T 
have in two instances made connections of our Ancestors in this 
Genealogy, from the middle to the latter part of the Seventeenth 
Century. With these, or this one exception, for it all pertains to 
one man, viz., Joseph Purmort, I have a clear and complete line 
for the ten generations in America and the nine generations in 
Old England. 

I must not fail to mention with many thanks and with due 
credit, the names of Mrs. Henry C. Purmort of Chicago, and of 
Mrs. Frances Willard Purmort of Boston, for their assistance 
given me in this collecting work. Without their timely aid I 
could not have succeeded in this effort. 

As I know better than anyone else the incompleteness of this 
Genea^logy, I shall consider it a great favor to receive personally 
all just criticisms and corrections anyone may make. I will espe- 
cially appreciate any new information anyone may send to me. If 
some individuals and some families have received more attention 
and space in the book than others, it is only because such material 
was furnished by some, while others did not provide it. 

Wishing all amateur Genealogists as much pleasure as I 
have derived in making this book, and extending my hand to all 



8 The Purmorts in America 

cousins whether Purmorts or some other name, and trusting the 
family may receive pleasure and profit from my work, I remain, 

Sincerely, 

Charles H, Purmort. 

In the "Visitation of Lincolnshire" in 1562-1564 the Pormort 
Coat of Arms is thus given : 

Argent, on Chevron between three leopards' faces. 

Sable, as many mullets of the field. 

The draft of this Coat of Arms was made August 31st, 1906, 
by Charles T. Spohr of Chicago, Assistant in the Newbury 
Library. 

Coat of Arms 

The following description or interpretation is given of this 
design in Burke's General Armory, 1883, P^g^ 815 • 

Argent, white or silver. Represented in engraving by sil- 
ver space, or white, signifies peace and sincerity. 

Chevron, the darker space in which are seen the stars, the 
roof like drawing signifies Protection. This was 
granted in Arms as a reward to one who has 
achieved some notable enterprise. It is supposed 
to represent the roof tree of a house and has some- 
times been given to those who have built churches 
or fortresses or who have accomplished some work 
of faithful service. 

Leopard, represent a valiant warrior who enterprises haz- 
ardous things by force and courage. Leopards" 
heads or faces are generally found borne by British 
heraldry. 

Richard I. carried two leopards. This "leopards' 
faces" is said to have been conferred by Edward 
III during his wars with France as a reward to 



And in England 



some of his leaders who served under him in his 
victorious campaign. The idea of the device being, 
that the Hon of the Enghsh Army is swallowing the 
Lily of the French coat. 
Mullet, is a star of five points. A falling star, not falling 
from an high estate, but to denote some Divine 
quality bestowed from above, whereby men shine in 
virtue, learning-, and works of piety, like bright 
stars on earth. If the star is pierced by a hole, 
then it means a spur or horseman. A silver star 
means an esquire. A gold star, knighthood. It 
was required that Pedigrees be first lodged in Col- 
lege of Heralds, London, England, before Coat of 
Arms was granted. The Helmet that surmounts 
the device signifies a warrior. The old English 
records that give this Coat of Arms and the pedi- 
gree of the family always spell the name Pormort, 
so this is given with the Coat as appropriate to it, 
although Purmort is now the adopted form. 



lo The Purmorts in America 



The Purmort Name 

Pumiort is not a common name, though the family has been 
in America since the year 1634. Great variety is found in the 
spelHng of this name in the early New England records. 

The following have been discovered : 

Pormort, Pormortte, Permont, Pormet, Pormert, Pormont, 
Postmont, Purmot, Pormont, Purmont, Purmount, Pormout, Por- 
ment, Pormon, Purmutt, Ponsmort, Purmort. 

The orthography of family names in early New England 
records is a matter of some surprise to modern Americans, who 
have been taught to expect exact precision from that quarter. It 
appears to have been a mark of aristocracy or of literary prom- 
inence to attach to a name this variety of spelling in those early 
times. More than twenty ways for spelling the common name 
of Sargent have been found. If this was truly a mark of any 
note, then the above list proves that the name Purmort had its 
due share of notoriety. 

There is a tradition in the family that during Huguenot times 
in France in the Sixteenth Century, a man of God escaped a 
terrible death by persecution, and made his way to England, com- 
ing up as it were, through death, he received the name Purmort, 
which signifies through death. But traditions are often only 
imaginary, mere by products of real history, and cannot always 
be relied upon as true. It is an easy, and to some a pleasant 
pastime, to imagine a thing as true, and then fit up a romance or 
tragedy to match it, and work it into a name. Without doubt the 
name Purmort is French in its origin, and the history of the family 



And in England ii 

shows them to be Protestants of the Calvanistic type, and as such 
they may claim relationship to the French Huguenots as well -is 
to the English Puritans of later times. 

Our first Ancestor on New England's shore was Philemon 
Portmort, or as he once signed his own name to a New England 
document of importance, Philemon Port Mortte. We can readily 
see in this etymology, Port, meaning Gate, and Mort, signifying 
death, that the name would be interpreted Gate of Death, and that 
Purmort, an abreviated form of the name, could be translated 
Through Death. 

In these days when it is the craze or fad to seek relationship 
and association with the good, the great and the heroic of the past, 
it will no doubt be flattering to the vanity of all who bear this 
name to decide as settled, our Huguenot Ancestry, and to rest in 
the security of ancient noble blood. It may, therefore, be at the 
risk of losing some popularity with the family, should the writer 
cast some doubt upon this assumed glory. 

A more careful study of this French name shows that Pur 
was formerly Pour which means, for, or, on account of, or, be- 
cause of, given as a reason. It must be recalled that the early 
Puritans usually gave serious names to their children in order to 
remind them of their soul life and responsibility. This name Pur- 
mort could be well used for this purpose, a name to remind the 
living of their doom. You are mortal and must die. Though now 
living, you are doomed to death. Pour mort signifying "for 
death." 

Now since the history of our family in England shows that 
we are more English than French, it follows that we were more 
Puritan than Huguenot, before reaching America, and the infer- 
ence follows that this last rendering of the name is more plaus- 
ible than the former. But again as a religious family in America, 



12 The Purmorts in America 

we may still be highly gratified to have our name thus associated 
with these deep and eternal matters of the soul, and we may not 
care one whit whether we hail from Huguenot or Puritan, just 
so we come from good devout religious stock. 

Again the Author may jeopardize his good reputation by 
molesting these pious reflections and holy ambitions, by suggest- 
ing in their stead the rollicking, rowdy associations of Old Eng- 
lish life of the 15th and i6th Centuries. But since the name has 
been subjected to investigation it must pass through the diction- 
aries, even though they do land us as a name, among the uncir- 
cumsized Philistines. 

The name Purmort may have reference to a hunting scene. 
"A la morte" signifies a hunting phrase and may mean "in at the 
death." A coming in at the death or a shout "To death," the 
victor of the chase. This coming in at the death was the great 
ambition of each hunter, for the first in received the first honors. 
If this interpretation of our name is correct, then our old English 
Ancestors must have belonged to the "sporty" class, and the great 
love of hunting seen so frequently in many members of the fam- 
ily, must be a matter of strong heredity. 

Then once more, should any member of the family aspire 
to even more heroic history, he may be gratified in the 
fact that our name conveys also the military idea and char- 
acter. Porte Mortte in modern French means Harbinger or 
Carrier of death news. One used in old military days 
and methods to bear tidings of battle. Our Coat of Arms, 
given and explained on another page, belonging to the early 
English Purmorts, would indicate that this meaning of our name 
has the precedence over all the others. As our name can be 
traced back, back, back to the 15th, 14th, and near the 13th Cen- 
tury, it would not require a very great leap of the imagination to 



And in England 13 

connect the first Purmort Ancestor with the Norman Conquest of 
1066, hailing from France and bringing with him the heroic 
chivalry of that far distant day, and the heraldry of those bloody 
times, and mingling afterwards with the Brittans, becoming a 
factor in gospel conquests that brought in a better civilization on 
old Brittanica's Shore. 



Philemon Portmort 

Philemon Portmort was the first of our name on American 
soil. He came early in the year 1634 with wife and two children 
at least, from Alford, Lincolnshire, England, where records show 
the Purmort family lived for ten generations. 

On page 32 of Charles H. Bell's history of the town of 
Exeter, N. H., is found the following: "Philemon Pormort was 
married in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, October 11, 1627, to 
Susan, daughter of William Bellingham. They emigrated to New 
England, probably with one child or more and were admitted to 
the Boston Church, August, 1634." 

In Wentworth Vol. i, page yj, is found the following: 

"The Alford England Records note baptisms as follows : 

"Elizabeth Pormort, Feb. 20, 1628-1629. She married 
Nathaniel Adams of Boston, November 25, 1652." 

"Martha Pormort, Nov. 24, 1633." 

In this record we see that this Elizabeth, first daughter of 
Philemon, married into the noted Adams family of New England. 
No record is found of her offspring. 

In "The Genealogist" (an English Magazine) Vol. 4 (1880) 
page 266, and Vol. 6 (1882) page 276 we find "The Visitation" 
pedigree of the Purmorts in 1562- 1564. These Lincolnshire Pur- 



14 The Purmorts in America 

morts must have been people of consequence to have their names 
and family records in "The Visitations." 

It appears these Visitation Records or Pedigrees were ordered 
by the English Courts in those early centuries for the purpose of 
securing and preserving the correct record and history of prom- 
inent families in the realm. All eminent genealogists of today 
recognize these records as correct and as eminent authority. 

The following is the Visitation Pedigree of the Purmorts for 
nine generations : 

1. Robert (i) Pormort of Saltfleetby, Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, Gilbert ist Son, died without issue. 

2. John (2) second son of Robert (i). 

3. William (3) of John (2) of Robert (i). 

4. Lawrence (4) of William (3) and another son of Wil- 
liam was Thomas (4). 

5. William (5) of Lawrence (4), etc. 

Married daughter of Sir John Swillington this 
name spelled Swithington in pedigree given in Vol. 
4 of The Genealogist. 

6. George (6) of William (5), etc., of Keddington. Had 
lands in Saltfleetby, Kirmington and Grimoldby. A will 
dated Sept. 7, proved December 5, 1541. He married 

the daughter and co-heir of Scramblesby called 

Elizabeth, in her husband's will. She had been previously 
married. Their children — 

George (7) ist Son and Mayor of Grimsby 156 — . 
Christopher (7) and 2d Son, Mayor of Grimsby 

1578. 
Gregory (7) 3rd Son, died 1584. 
Anna (7) married Nicholas Ustow. 



And in England 15 

7. Greg-ory (7) of George (6), etc. Under age in 1541. 
Married Elizabeth daughter of WilHam Whitehead of 
Stanford. Child, Thomas (8). 

8. Thomas (8) of Gregor}' (7), etc., of Grimsby. Will 
dated on board the Redde Dragon March 26, 1603, 
proved October 27, 1603. Married Dorothy daughter of 

Dawson at Grimsby, Nov. 4, 1591. She was his 

executrix in 1603. Their children : 

Phineas (9) ist Son. 

Philemon (9) 2nd Son, 1603, both under age. 

Vincent (9) died in infancy. 

9. Philemon (9) of Thomas (8), etc. Under age in 1603. 
Married Susan daughter of William Bellingham of 
Alford, October 11, 1627. Children: 

John (10) baptized at Alford, Feb. 20, 1628. 
Martha (10) baptized at Alford, Nov. 24, 1633. 
Descendants of George (7) Pormort, Son of George (6). 
George (7) married ist Elizabeth daughter of 

Philip Bleasby of Bleasby, married 2nd 

Scamblesby. Children : 

Lyon (8) 

Thomas (8) 

George (8) 

Thomas (8) (again) 

William (8) married Anna Messenger, Feb. 
12, 1 581. A son George died young. • 

Anna (8) 

Margret (8) 

Lyon (8) Son of George (7). Married 

Sutton of Utterby, died not later than 161 5. Chil- 
dren : 



i6 The Purmorts in America 

Christopher (9) born Grimsby 1585. Married 
Carrington 161 1, daughter Mary baptized 
1618. 
Richard (9) baptized Aug. 13, 1592. 
William (9) baptized October 14, 1593. Mar- 
ried Anna Meddeton 1619, a daughter Dor- 
othy died young. 
Theodore (9) 

George (9) buried at Grimsby, Aug. 22, 1596. 
Susan (9) 
Elizabeth (9) 
The list of these Old England Purmorts runs as 
follows : 

Robert (i) 
John (2) 
William (3) 
Lawrence (4) 
William (5) 
George (6) 



1 



George (7) Married Bleasby George (7) or Gregory (7) 

I St, Scamblesby 2d. Married Whitehead. 

Lyon (8) Married Sutton. Thomas (8) of Grimsby. 

Theodore (9) Son and heir Philemon (9) living and un- 

apparent of Lyon (8) der age 1603. IMarried 

and living in 1592. Susan Bellingham 1627. 

There is also found in Vol. 53 of the New England Historical 
and Genealogical Register on Page 71 the following: 

"George Pormort and Anna Lucke w-ere married at St. Giles 
Cambridge, May 13, 1619." 



And in England 17 

In the Genealogist Vol. 5 (1881) Page 313 under Booth 
pedigree occurs the following: "William Booth of Wootton mar- 
ried Anna, daughter of George Pormort of Gainsby. Their chil- 
dren were living and also the parents in 1592." Again in the 
Genealogist Vol. 3, Page 371, under name of Craythorne in 
"Visitation" of Lincolnshire occurs the marriage of Sir B. C. of 
Marche Cappe in Yorkshire to Margret daughter of Por- 
mort. Their grandson was John Crethorne of Salesby in Lincoln- 
shire, 1562. In the Genealogist Vol. 11 (1894) New Series on 
page 17, is a pedigree which mentions Mable Pormort whose 
children married as follows : 

Isabella married John de Arkesworthy. 

Joan married Henry Bang. 

Julian married Henry Puteford. 

Cecely married . She had a daughter Matilda who 

married Robert Scofter. 

Clarence married John Mosfen. 

Emma married William White. 

Also this pedigree is found in the Plea Rolls de Banco Mich. 
33 E. 3 in 363 Devonshire : 

"John de Peremort A. D. 1296 Oct. 24. 23d Edw. I made oath 
at the Inquisition of Lands, etc., of Henry I'Estormi at Rushuc. 
(Rushcock) Worcestershire, England." This is taken from a 
book published in 1896 called "County Records" by A. D. Weld 
French. These old English records give a very clear and direct 
line of the Purmorts in and around Alford, Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, through the nine generations and they run back in time to 
the last part of the 13th Century in the stiring events of King 
Edward I. Very few American families can show up such a pedi- 
gree running so far back in English history. 



i8 The Purmorts in America 

It is seen that Philemon Portmort or Ponnont was in the 
ninth generation in the EngHsh hne and that he was under age 
in the year 1603 and that he married Susan BeUingham in 1627. 
i quote from "Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of New Eng- 
land," a large work of four great volumes, that gives the names 
and lineage of New England's inhabitants for the first centur}' of 
our history. 

In Vol. Ill, Page 464, "Philemon Portmort of Boston adm. 
of the church with wife Susan near the end of August, 1634, 
probably brought one child, if not more, was freem. May 6, 1635, 
and the first Gram. Schoolmaster. Had Lazarus born Feb. 28, 
1636, baptized March 6, 1636, Ann born April 5, baptized April 
15, 1638, favored the cause of Wheelwright and followed him to 
Exeter and afterwards to Wells, have letters of dism. from our 
church January, 1639, ^'•^^ probably came back afterward. Prob- 
ably not a few years had Pedaiah born June 3, 1640. His wife 
died December, 1642." By second wife Elizabeth had Martha, 
baptized 29, May, but town records say born i6th June, 1653. 
His daughter Elizabeth born probably in England married 24th 
of November, 1652, Nathaniel Adams, but another pretended 
records says Samuel Worden in General, Reg. XI 202. Great 
variety is found in the letters or sound of this first schoolmaster's 
name, Porment, Pormet, Purmount, etc." 

In Boston Town Records, Page 13, we find that Susan, wife 
of Philemon Pormort died 29th, loth month 1642. In the New 
England Reg. Vol. II, Page 202 are found the following records : 

"Philemon Purmort married at Alford, England, nth Oct. 
1627 to Susan BeUingham who was daughter of William BeUing- 
ham who was buried at Alford, Sept. 2, 1606." 

Wife Susan was baptized Sept. i, 1601, died at Boston Oct. 
29, 1642. 



And in England 19 

Children born in England, viz. : 

1. Elizabeth 20th February 1628-9. 

2. Martha 24, Nov. 1633. 

Philemon was at Boston late in August, 1634. 

3. Lazarus, born Dec. 28, 1635, and baptized Jan. 6, 

1636. See Boston Town Record Page 3. 

4. Anna, born Feb. 5, 1638, baptized Feb. 15, 1638. 

5. Pedaiah, son, born April 3, 1640. Page 10. 

6. Borshua, daughter, baptized, ist, church, Boston, 

May 4, 1647. 

7. (This not quoted from the above) but she is men- 
tioned on Page 26. 

"Elias" mentioned in Bournes' History of Wells and 
Kennebunk as "working a mill at Wells 1680" is 
supposed by the Author of this book to have been 
a son of Philemon born perhaps between Pedaiah 
and Borshua, as there was between these two, ample 
time for another birth. 

8. Mary, supposed daughter. See New England Hist, 
and Gen. Reg. Vol. 50, Page 488. 

9. Martha born June 16, 1653, daughter by second 
wife, Elizabeth. See Boston Town Records, Page 
40. 

It has been found in some of the early records that one 
Joseph Purmort of Great Island may have been a son of this 
Philemon. If so, his birth may have occurred between that of 
Mary and that of Martha, as we find six years between the birth 
of Borshua, May 4, 1647, and that of Martha, June 16, 1653, thus 
giving ample time for Mary's birth and still another. But as all 
this is mere conjecture it cannot be definitely stated nor fully 
relied upon. Yet as it will be observed farther on in the book. 



20 The Purmorts in America 

that this Joseph Purmort is somewhat mysterious, this conjecture 
is mentioned here ; and it may be a solution to a vital connection 
in our American lineage that we shall be forced to adopt, as will 
be seen later. 

In corroboration of the statement given by Savage already 
mentioned, concerning the marriage of Elizabeth, Philemon's first 
daughter, there is found in the New England Hist, and Geneal., 
Reg. Vol. II, Page 202, an undated record of the marriage 
of Elizabeth, daughter of the late Philemon Pormorte of Boston. 
In Vol. 50 of the same the date is given, August, 1656, and this 
is evidence that Philemon died before that date, 1656, or the word 
late would not preceed his name. 

In the records of the first church of Boston, perhaps the 
oldest in the county, is found the following: 

"The 28th of ye Sixth month 1634 was admitted into the 
church Philemon Pormort and Susan, his wife." The Sixth of 
ve eleventh month 1638 Philemon Pormort was dismissed with 
John Wheelwright and others into ye church of Christ at ye Ffalls 
of Pasclataqua, if they be rightly gathered and ordered." 

"Baptized Lazarus ye sonne of Brother Philemon Pormort 
the 13th of ye first month 1636. Anna ye daughter of Brother 
Philemon Portmort the 29th of ye same second month, 1638." 

It will be observed that the year dates are the same in these 
Church records as heretofore given, but the month and the days 
differ from the Boston Town Records. 

In a book called "The Puritan in England and New Eng- 
land" by Ezra Hoyt Byington, D. D., on page 249 is found the 
following : 

"The annals of the colony are full of references to schools 
and school masters. There was a school in Boston five years 
r+ter the first settlement of which Philemon Pormort was a 



And in England 21 

teacher. Daniel Maude was his successor and for his mainten- 
ance a contribution of fifty pounds was made by leading citizens." 

Savage makes mention of this Daniel Maude as "one who 
came in the James from Bristol 1635 in company with Richard 
Mather. He was bred at Emanuel Cambridge where he had his 
A. B. 1606 and A. M. 1610. Kept the school for some years, 
joined the church Oct. 1635, freeman 25 May following, yet 
without prefix of respect." 

This record regarding Daniel Maude in connection with Dr. 
Byington's statement that he was assistant and successor to 
Philemon in the school, naturally leads to the thought that he and 
Philemon were acquainted in the old country and perhaps were 
educated together at Cambridge. 

The Town Records of Boston contains this record: "The 
1 3-2- 1 63 5 at a general meeting upon public notice it was gener- 
all agreed upon that our brother Philemon Pormort shal be 
entreated to become School Master for the teaching and nurturing 
of children with us." (See Winthrop's History of New England, 
Vol. HI, Page 264, New Edition.) 

I quote extensively the following from The Young People's 
Weekly, June 21st, 1902: 

"The Boston Latin School was established in the year 1635 
and it was the result of an agreement made among the leading- 
citizens of Boston led by the first Governor, John Winthrop, and 
Gov. John Winthrop was as firm a believer in the necessity and 
value of higher education as can be found in our land even in the 
present day. Another far seeing believer in higher education who 
had to do with the establishing of the Latin School was the Rev. 
John Cotton, who reached Boston in the year 1633 from Boston, 
Lincolnshire, England, where he had been a preacher of note. 
Something of the esteem in which this wise man was held may be 



22 The Purmorts in America 

known from the fact that Increase Mather wrote of him: 'Both 
Bostons have reasons to honor his memory and New England 
most of all which oweth its name and being to him more than to 
any other person in the world.' It is certain that John Cotton 
was intimately interested in this the first free school in our Coun- 
try, for after his death it was found that on certain contingencies 
he had left one-half of his estate for the support of the school. 
That the people of the little town of Boston took great pride iil 
their free school was evidenced by the fact that a number of its 
citizens remembered the school in their wills, although none of 
them had very much to bestow upon it. From the day of its 
opening down to the present time the Boston Latin School has 
been one of the most democratic of institutions. There have been 
no class distinctions ,no caste lines, the sons of the poorest men 
and the sons of the richest have met here on a common level. 
They sat side by side on the same forms. No boy was thought 
better than his mates unless he excelled his mates in character 
and mental power. 

"The school has had many illustrious masters, such as Robert 
Woodmansy, John Lowell, Samuel Hunt, William Bigelow, one 
of whose pupils was Ralph Waldo Emerson. Mr. Benjamin 
Apthorp Gould, Mr. Frederick P. Leverett, author of the Latin 
Lexicon, bearing his name. Mr. Charles K. Dillaway, Mr. Epes 
Sargent Dixwell, Francis Gardner, Mr. Augustus Milton Gay, 
Mr. Moses Merrill who held the place for twenty-five years until 
his death April 26, 1902. John T. Casey is head master now ; his 
predecessor was Robert E. Babson. 

"The school has occupied many different buildings in the two 
hundred and seventy years of its existence. Some of its sessions 
have been held in famous old Fannel Hall, others in Fremont 
Temple. It now occupies one of the largest school buildings in 
the world and about eight hundred boys are in attendance every 



And in England 23 

day. All of the class rooms and the great public hall are under 
one roof. It is an inspiring sight to see all the boys assembled 
at the graduation exercises when the annual prizes are awarded 
in June. Among the great men who have been pupils of the school 
may be named Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Robert Trent 
Paine, Harrison Gray Otis, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Cotton 
Mather, Phillip Brooks, Henry Ward Beecher, Samuel Adams 
and Wendall Phillips. To this famous Boston Latin School be- 
longs the proud distinction of being the oldest educational insti- 
tution with a continuous existence in this country. 

"One of the graduates of this school once remarked that the 
Latin School 'dandled Harvard College on her knees.' Another 
has said 'From this establishment, itself the example and seed 
corn, the whole American system of free education grew.' " 

With this history, and these educators, and these testimonials 
it is surely a great honor to a family to hold as its first Ancestor 
in this country, a man who was chosen as the first master, and 
who was with others instrumental in establishing this Boston 
Latin School. 

The Boston Historical Society several years ago decided 10 
honor this man and to hold his name in lasting memory by plac- 
ing on School Street in front of the City Hall a bronze tablet to 
mark the spot where the first school stood, on which is written 
the following inscription : 

"On this spot stood the First House erected for the use oi 
the Boston Public Latin School. This School has been constantly 
maintained since it was established by the following vote of the 
Town : 

"At a General Meeting upon public notice, it was agreed 
upon that Brother Philemon Pormort shall be entreated to become 



24 The Purmorts in America 

School Master for the teaching and nurturing of children with us. 
April 13, 1635." 

The picture of this Tablet and the present Latin School may 
be found elsewhere in this book. 

Proceedings of the Littleton Historical Society, No. i 1894- 
1895 Littleton, Massachusetts. (Published by the Historical So- 
ciety 1896) Page 50: 

"The colony of Massachusetts Bay received its Royal Charter 
from Charles the First in 1628, eight years after the landing of 
the Pilgrims, and among its early acts was a law making it 
obligatory on parents and guardians to educate their children and 
apprentices. Li the earliest days each family taught its own chil- 
dren. The earliest free public school in the colony was in Boston, 
in 1635, when it was agreed "that Brother Philemon Purmont 
shall be entreated to become schoolmaster for the teaching and 
nurturing of the children among us." The town of Dedham 
claims the honor of having established the first free school at 
public expense in the colony and in the world in 1644 and has 
recently celebrated its 250 anniversary, but it was nine years later 
than the above quotation. The Boston Advertiser some two 
months ago, speaking of the event says, "For the first time in 
the history of the world the people were compelled, by law, to 
maintain schools for the education of all the children. Massa- 
chusetts therefore has the majestic distinction of originating the 
free public school. But the benefits have not been confined to 
New England. Out of the little clearings of eastern Massachu- 
setts this system of free schools has spread over the broad domain 
of the American Union." 

"A few years later, 1647, ^'^e colony provided for the support 
of schools at public expense in reading and writing in all settle- 
ments of fiftv families or more." 



And in England 25 

The noted Rev. Phillip Brooks, D. D.. who was a son of the 
Boston Latin School, in an address on the same in 1885 said after 
quoting theTown Record : "Philemon Pormort, the first teacher of 
the Latin School is hardly more than a mere shadow of a name. It 
is not even clear that he ever actually taught the school at all." 
Yet it can be said that the event of the assembly and the address 
of the Doctor was in commemoration of this recorded transaction 
of that noted Boston Town meeting held two hundred and fifty 
years before, when Philemon Pormort w^as elected by common 
vote of the people as the teacher. The Doctor continues in the 
address : "A few years later with j\Ir. Wheelwright, after the 
Hutchinson excitement he (Pomiort) disappears in the northern 
woods and is one of the founders of Exeter in New Hampshire. 
There are rumors that he came back to Boston and died here, 
but it is all very uncertain." 

All this only confirms the certainty of the existence of a 
Philemon Pormort and that he was a man of prominence and 
activity and that he entered largely into the various transactions 
of those early times. It appears that Rev. John Wheelwright 
was banished from Massachusetts on account of his religious be- 
liefs, which he had imbibed in part from Mrs. Anna Hutchinson. 

The principle tenets of the Ann Hutchinson doctrine were : 

1. That a believer is more than a creature. 

2. That Sanctification does not evidence justification. 

3. That a saving faith does not depend on good works or a 
virtuous life. 

This was called the Antinomian Heresy and it led to very 
serious controversies which affected the early New England 
Church. 

Buck states in his Theological Dictionary that the Anti- 
nomians took their origin from John Agricola about the year 1538. 



26 The Purmorts in America 

The sect sprang up in England during the protectorate of Crom- 
well. They claim that the law is of no use or obligation under the 
gospel dispensation ; that good w'orks do not promote our salva- 
tion or ill ones hinder it ; that Christians are freed from the obli- 
gation of keeping the law. It is a perversion of the doctrines of 
Justification by Faith. 

Wheelright, its chief expounder next to Ann Hutchinson, 
was a Cambridge man, where he took his degree in 1618. He 
came from Alfred, Lincolnshire, England, the home of Philemon 
Pormort. He married into the Hutchinson family. These facts 
no doubt led both Wheelright and Pormort to sympathize with 
and adopt the Ann Hutchinson belief. Wheelright later in life 
repented and was restored in the favor of the old Church people, 
but no such record is found regarding Philemon. Wheelright 
being banished took up his abode at Wells, New Hampshire, 
where he preached and soon organized a church of his own faith 
and in the list of names of the members that of Philemon Pormort 
appears. 

A commission was sent from Boston to Wells to investigate 
this new church and to secure the signatures of the members to a 
recantation and to submission to the Mother Church. Philemon's 
name is not found among those who submitted. 

Dr. Brooks continues in his address on the Latin School : 

"Dim half-discerned Philemon Pormort with the very spell- 
ing of his name disputed, with his face looking out upon us from 
the mist, or rather with the mist shaping itself for a moment into a 
face which v,e may call his, merely serves to give a sort of human 
reality to that which would otherwise be wholly vague." 

If the noted Doctor means by this to emphasize the fact of 
the early history of the Boston Latin School as enveloped in mist, 
not only as connected with Pormort, but also with his immediate 



And in England 27 

successors, Maude, Woodbridge, VVoodmansey and the Singing 

Thompson, then no arguments need be offered ; but if these 

remarks are designed to single out and cast a doubt as to the 

personaHty and the reahty of Philemon Pormort, and to his posi- 
tion as Boston's First School Master, then surely a defense can 

and should be made. 

1st. As to the spelling of the name. All who have referred 
to the public documents of those days of 1635 and 
later, have noticed over and over that the orthography 
of the same name was not uniform. On a marriage 
certificate the same name has been found to be spelled 
in three different ways. This name Pormort is not a 
noted exception to be singled out and emphasized. Then 
this name being French and quite uncommon is found 
in many forms, but the common name Philemon is 
always found connected with it, and this surely indi- 
vidualizes it and fixes it as more certain and sure than 
"dim" and "half discerned" would indicate. 
2nd. As to the personality of this man there are abundant 
evidences found in the court records and village histor- 
ies of those early times. The following are a few of the 
many examples : 

( 1 ) That he was a well bred man and held in high 
esteem by the very best people of Boston at that 
time is established by the fact that he was selected 
by popular vote to become the School Master, as 
seen in the record of that Town Meeting before 
quoted and now engraved on the Tablet with his 
name that marks the spot of the first school build- 
ing. 

(2) That he held the position of School Master for 



28 The Purmorts in America 

three years and was held in high esteem by his 
contemporaries, we can determine by the record 
found in the New England Hist, and Gen. 
Reg. Vol. VII Page 228, viz. : From the will 
of Isack Grosse of Boston, brewer, May 29, 1649, 
after legacies to wife and family, gives to "Mr. 
John Cotton, teacher of the Church of Boston, 
£10, and to Mr. Philemon Pormort of Wells iio." 
In a codicil he adds : "This is my further will, 
if my estate shall not extend to make good the 
bequests above sayed, that they be abated accord- 
ing to their several portions save only Mr. Cotton 
and Mr. Pormort." 

(3) It is found he owned considerable property. In 
Drake's History of Boston, Page 235, Philemon 
Portmort had his lot at Muddy River bounded 
Jan. 8, 1638. Again on Page 791 Philemon Por- 
mort a witness to sale of real estate. Again on 
page 230 ^Ir. Philemon Pormort, the first School 
Master of Boston accompanied Wheelright to Ex- 
eter 1638. In the Boston Town Records we find 
the following: "Great allotment" was made to 
Philemon the 14th of the loth month 1635. 
"Philemon Pormort thirtie acres; bounded on the 
northeast with John Cranwell, on the Southeast 
with Mr. Thomas Leveritt and by a piece of 
ground lying between him and Mr. John Cotton, 
on ye Northwest with Newtowne." 

(4) In Edward E. Bourne's History of Wells and 
Kennebunk, Page 2"], is found the following: 
"Philemon Pormort was a man of some intellect- 



And in England 29 

ual culture. He was made freeman of Boston in 
1635 and was a member of the Boston Church. 
Probably he was a firm disciple of Wheelrig-ht as 
he followed him to Exeter having been advised 
to depart on pain of imprisonment, although pre- 
vious to that he was entreated to become School 
Master in Boston for the teaching and nurturing 
of children. He was one of the combination at 
Exeter and had 14 acres of land assigned him 
there. He came with Wheelright to Wells and 
took an active part in the affairs of the Church, 
but dissensions sprung up and his theological 
views not corresponding with those of the ruling 
powers in Massachusetts, he lost favor and was 
denied the privilege of Church Communion. He 
continued several years to make his home here, 
but what became of him we cannot tell. Por- 
morte we suppose, wrote the original deed by 
w^hich the Indian title to Nampscosoke came into 
the hands of the English, October 18, 1649. The 
instrument was sealed, signed and delivered in his 
presence." 

On page 41 of this history is found the fol- 
lowing : 

"Purmorte we think must have left the place 
at the time when the commission (which was from 
Boston) were in Wells. He did not sign the sub- 
mission and no one living in Wells could have 
avoided doing so without subjecting himself to 
persecution." This would indicate that he was 
no coward, but one who had his convictions and 



30 The Purmorts in America 

stood by them even in face of great danger. The 
commission sent out from Boston reported "That 
Pormortte with another, Wardell by name had 
become disgusted with the state of aflfairs in the 
Church and therefore chose to withdraw." (This 
was in the year 1650) and he removed elsewhere, 
but no record tells just where. There is also 
found in this History of Wells and Kennebunk 
that in 1680 Elias Pomiortt and Lazrus Por- 
mortt, sons of Philemon, worked in the Monsam 
Mills. These records are sufificient proofs for 
the actual existence of Philemon Pormort. No 
doubt but that he returned later to Boston as other 
records indicate, but it can be sunnised that he 
did so very quietly, on account of these church 
troubles. It is thought by the Author of this 
book that these Church dissensions and the ban 
upon Philemon because he would not submit to 
the Boston commission sent to the Wells Church 
to secure their recantation, must have weighed 
heavily upon himself and family, and that this is 
the prominent reason wh}- the family seem to 
have dropped out of sight for a time and now 
causes so much difficulty in making the exact con- 
nection in the following generation. 
It can be truthfully said that such Church disruptions have 
frequently cast shadows over entire families for a generation or 
more. It is not our province now to deal with the justice or in- 
justice of the case, nor shall we discuss the theological soundness 
(•[ Ann Hutchinson, nor shall be pass an opinion on the propriety 
<.f Wheelright and Pormort breaking with the Old First Church 



And in England 31 

of Boston and attempting- to establish another faith up in the 
woods of New Hampshire in those primitive days of weakness and 
a needed time of strong- union, nor shall we criticise the rigor of 
the established Church in Boston in their dealings with what they 
pronounced "dangerous heresies." All these questions have had 
their thorough ventilation, and New England Theology has long 
since become elastic enough to tolerate and even venerate many 
"Anns" and "Marys" and "Wheelrights and Pormorts." 

There has been found in a Boston paper supposed to have 
been published about the time the Tablet was placed in front of 
the City Hall, the following article, who the Author was is not 
known. As it adds another testimonial to the above it is quoted 
here : 

"The first settlers of Boston deserve great credit for their 
early interest in the cause of Education. Less than four years 
after the settlement of the town they took steps for the permanent 
establishment of schools." 

(Then follows the record of that early Town Meeting when 
Pormort was chosen as Teacher.) Mr. Ponnort accepted the 
trust and in doing so established what was probably the first pub- 
lic school in the Country, from which sprung Boston's Public 
Latin School which is now the oldest educational institution with 
a continuous existence in the whole length and breadth of the 
United States. 

Mr. Pormort was admitted freeman that same year and a 
member of the First Church of Boston 1638. He w^as supported 
in his undertakings partly by donations of liberal friends of edu- 
cation and partly by an income of a tract of land assigned him at 
Muddy River, and better known as Brookline. Nothing whatever 
is known of Pormort's capacities as a teacher, but it is presumed 
he had some knowledge of Latin. It is known that one of his 



32 The Purmorts in America 

pupils, John Hull, knew Latin. Of the age of Pormort when he 
became the School Master nothing is known, and we are equally 
in the dark concerning his birth place, his character, and his 
scholastic attainments. His connections with the school continued 
nearly three 3'ears, that is from April, 1635, to the close of the year 
1638. 

He had attached himself to the cause of Ann Hutchinson, who 
according to John Winthrop brought with her to the Colony of 
Massachusetts Bay "two dangerous errors." 

First: That the Person of the Holy Ghost dwells in a justi- 
fied person ; 

Second : That one sanctification can help evidence to us our 
justification. 

For thus espousing the cause of Mrs. Hutchinson, Pormort, 
with John Wheelright (who was the brother-in-law of Mrs. 
Hutchinson), Richard Mooys, Richard Bulgar, Isaac Grosse, 
Christopher Marshall, George Bagter and Thomas and William 
Wardall, was dismissed from the First Church and there while in 
exile established the Colony of New Hampshire. After remaining 
in Exeter for some time, Pormort left and went to Wells, but 
before 1642 he in all probability returned to Boston. There is no 
record of his death, nor is anything more known of his history 
except that he was the father of several children, two of his sons 
having the unusual Christian names of '*Lazarus and Pedajah." 

Another account of Philemon states that he was in Boston 
in 1653 and is supposed to have removed to Portsmouth, as 
descendants bearing the name have till lately lived in that vicinity. 

Inasmuch as the history of Philemon is so prominentlv con- 
nected with the religious tenets of Ann Hutchinson and Rev. John 
Wheelright, the following is quoted from a book entitled "01;1 



And in England 33 

Land Marks and Historic Personages of Boston" by Samuel 
Adams Drake. 

"Ann Hutchinson (1634) was the leader of the sect of 
Antinomians and daug"hter of Rev. Francis Marbury of London. 
Her mother was great aunt of John Dryden the Poet. She was a 
woman of consumate ability and address. For a time she had all 
Boston by the ears, and even public business halted." 

In a book, "Men and Things of Exeter," by Charles Henry 
Bell, we find the following: 

"Rev. John Wheelright, friend and college mate of Oliver 
Cromwell, came from Belsby, Lincolnshire, England, to Boston, 
1636. He was banished from Boston 1637 on account of alleged 
Antinomian and fatalistic religious opinions, and in the spring of 
1638 established 'himself, with several persons who were driven 
from Massachusetts for the same cause, with a number of his 
former friends and parishoners from England, and with others 
of whom we have no definite personal knowledge, at the Falls of 
Squanscott to which he gave the name of Exeter. He drew up an 
instrument for Government and Laws which he called 'A Com- 
bination' which was signed by heads of families, thirty four in all." 

"The people of New Hampshire remained under the Govern- 
ment of Massachusetts till 1680. Then came the eventful period 
of the Indian hostilities in which Exeter, being on the frontier 
was for a series of years greatly exposed to the incursions of the 
Savages. Many of her citizens lost their lives and others carried 
into captivity. The little Company that followed John Wheel- 
rihgt to the falls of Squamscott 1638 was essentially religious. 
Those dismissed from the Church at Boston December 30, 1638." 
(Then follows the names given before in which list Wheelrig-ht 
and Pormort appear.) 



34 The Purmorts in America 

"A Frontier Family," (by Edmund March Wheelrig-ht), 
Page 7, is fomid the following: 

*'In the short notice given him Wheelwright disposed of his 
Mt. Wollaton lands at a loss. He left Massachusetts in November 
1637, tarried awhile just beyond the "bound house" near Hamp- 
ton ; then pushed his way, through the heavy snows of that bitter 
winter, to the falls of the Squamscot on the Piscataqua. In the 
early spring he was joined by his wife and family, and by Augus- 
tine Storre, John Compton, and Nicholas Needham. These 
pioneers purchased from the local Sagamores a large tract of land 
and founded Exeter. A little later William Wentworth, Edward 
Rishworth, Samuel Hutchinson, Edmund Littlefield, Philemon 
Pormortt and twenty other heads of families joined the Colony. 
All were either Lincolnshire friends of Wheelwright or residents 
of Boston and its neighborhood, who had supported him in his 
controversy with the Colonial heirarchy. The Lincolnshire men 
in Exeter Colony were Wentworth, Storre, Helme, Lawson, 
Leavitt, Rishworth, Hutchinson, Pormott, Fish, The Wardwells. 
and the Littlefields." 

It is also stated that the sentence of banishment against John 
Wheelright was reversed later. It is found elsewhere that Wheel- 
right practically confessed his error and begged pardon for his 
course. 

As one reads the history of that dissension in the eary church 
and its final collapse, he must conclude that the whole thing was 
entirely unnecessary ; and had a little more wisdom and toleration 
been exercised by those in Authority, as well as the advocates of 
this doctrine, the disruption would have been prevented and 
those good honest pious men, all practically from the same vicinity 
in England, and no doubt old-time friends and brothers in the 
Church, would have continued such in the New England they 



And in England 35 

were settling, until death should claim them all. As Philemon 
Portniort would not submit to the authorities and as Wheelrigfht, 
the leader, practically abandoned the cause and as no doubt 
hard times befell them and the bitter hostilities of the Indians 
broke upon the new settlement, he too became disgusted and 
weary, and like others since his day, left the Church and not even 
his death has been recorded, nor do we find any definite mention 
of his family for a generation or more. Yet Philemon was too 
prominent and capable a man in those times to drop entirely out 
of sight. 

In the various records, mention is made of the birth of his 
children up to 1653. Mention is made of the death of his wife, 
Susan, in Boston, December 29, 1642. Also mention of his second 
marriage. On April 26, 1643, ^^ witnessed to legal document in 
Boston. In 1645 ^e acted as Justice of the Peace in Boston, 
hearing a case at law. On January 30, 1647, '^le witnessed a docu- 
ment in Boston. On April 9, 1648, Mr. Pormort held a deed for 
some parties. On June 31, 1649, ^^ witnessed again in Court. On 
November 24, 1652, his daughter Elizabeth, who was born in 
Old England, February 20, 1628, was married to Nathaniel 
Adams of Boston. Then the record given by Charles H. Bell in 
his History of the town of Exeter on page 32, that "Philemon 
Pormort was in Boston in 1653 and is supposed to have removed 
to Great Island or Portsmouth as descendants bearing his name 
have till lately lived in the vicinity," brings us directly up to the 
record made in 1654, of the birth of Martha, daughter by his 
second wife, Elizabeth. We found in the New England Hist, and 
Gen. Reg. a date of 1656 given, where the record state, "The late 
Philemon Pormort of Boston." So we conclude that this, our 
noted ancestor, must have died either in Boston or Portsmouth 
about the year 1655. M<'ntion has been made of the marriage of 



36 The Purmorts in America 

Elizabeth, Philemon's oldest daughter, with one Nathaniel Adams 
of Boston. 

In 1836 one wrote of the early New England Adamses as 
follows : 

"Of this name, fifty-two have been graduates of Harvard, 
twenty-three of Yale and at all other New England Colleges 
forty-two. One iiundred and eleven in all. Of this vast number 
there were ministers, eighteen of Harvard, six of Yale, and four 
of the other colleges, twenty-eight ministers in all." 

As this record is considered we say, no wonder the Adams 
family have figured so conspicuously in our American history. 
Those early New England ancestors were men of brains and edu- 
cation and character, men of political acumen and men of relig- 
ious power. Their influence is still manifest in our great nation, 
and tlieir memory should be more sacredly reverenced by their 
posterity. 

As the history of the Purmort family takes us back into 
early Colonial days, the following fac simile copy of what is 
known in New Hampshire history as "The Combination" may 
be read with interest and it also gives the name of Philemon 
Purmort as one of the signers : 
Provincial Papers of New Hampshire, Vol. i, pages 131 and 132. 

Exeter Combination, 1639. 
Copy by the editor from the old records of Exeter, Vol. i, page 7. 

Whereas a certain Combination was made by us, the brethren 
of the Church of Exeter, with the rest of the inhabitants, bearing 
date Mon. 5th d. 4, 1639, wh afterwards upon the instant 
request of some of the brethren was altered, & put into such a 
fomie of wordes, wherin howsoever we dow acknowledge the 
King's Majesty our dread Sovereigne & ourselves his subjects; 
yet some expressions are contained therein wh may seeme to 



And in England 37 

admit of sucli a sence as somewhat derogates from that due 
Allegiance wh we owe to his Highnesse, quite contrary to our 
true intents and meanings : we therefore doe revoke, disannull, 
make voyd and frustrate the said latter Combination, as if it 
never had been done, and doe ratify, confirme and establish the 
former, wh wee only stand unto as being in force & virtue, the 
wh for substance is here set downe in manner and form 
following. 

Mon., 2d, 2, 1640. 

Whereas it hath pleased the lord to move the heart of our 
Dread Sovereigne Charles, by the Grace of God, King of England, 
Scotland, France & Ireland, to grant license & liberty to sundry 
of his subjects to plant themselves in the Western parts of Amer- 
ica, wee his loyall subjects, brethren of the Church of Exeter, 
situate and lying upon the river piscataquacke wh other inhabi- 
tants there considering with ourselves the holy will of God and 
our owne necessity, that we should not live whout wholsome 
laws & Government amongst us, of wch we are altogether desti- 
tute; doe in the name of Christ & in the sight of God combine 
ourselves together, to erect & set up amongst us such government 
as shall be to our best discerning, agreeable to the will of God, 
professing ouselves subjects to our Sovereign Lord, King Charles, 
according to the liberty's of our English Colony of the Massa- 
chusetts & binding ourselves solemnly by the Grace & helpe of 
Christ & in his name & fear to submit ourselves to such Godly & 
Christian laws as are established in the realme of England to 
our best knowledge & to all other such laws wch shall upon good 
grounds, be made & inacted amongst us according to God, 
Tt we may live quietly & peacefully together, in all Godliness 
and honesty. 

Mon., 5th., 4th, 1639. 



38 



The Purmorts in America 



John Whelewright, 
Augustin Storre, 
Henry Elkins, 

his mark 
George X Walton, 
Samuel Walker, 
Thomas Petit, 
Henry Roby, 
Willia Wembourn, 

his mark 
Thomas X Crawley, 
Chr. Helme, 

his mark 
Darby X Ffield, 

his mark 

his mark 
Frances X Matthews, 
Edward Rish worth, 
Robert X Reid, 
Rallf Hall, 

his mark 
Robert Soward, 
Richard Bullgar, 
Christopher Lawson, 



Thomas Wright, 
William Wantworth, 

his mark 
George X Barlow, 
Richard Morris, 
Nicholas Needham, 
Thomas Willson, 

his mark 
George X Ruobon, 

his mark 
William X Coole, 

his mark 
James X Walles, 
Thomas Levvit, 
Edward Littlefield, 

his mark 
John X Crame, 

his mark 
Godfrie X dearborne, 
Philemon Ponnort, 
Thomas Wardell, 

his mark 
William X Wardell, 

his mark 



Robert X Smith. 
The foregoing paper seems to be in the handwriting of John 



Whelewright, 



whose name is signed first. — Ed. 



First Generation of Purmorts in America 



Philemon Purmort, the first of our name in America, was in 
the ninth generation of the recorded Purmorts in England. Two 
or three of his children who were born in England belonged to the 
tenth generation there. Since they were brought to America and 



And in England 39 

other brothers and sisters were born here we shall consider these 
children as members of the First Generation of Purmorts in 
America. 

Philemon Purmort, the dates of whose birth and death are 
not positively known, was no doubt born in Alford, Lincolnshire, 
England. He was under age in 1603. He was married to Susan 
Bellingham at Alford, England, October 11, 1627. She was the 
daughter of William Bellingham who was buried at Alford, 
September 2, 1606. 

Bellingham pedigree from Father to Son. 

The Bellingham arms is, Argent, three bugle horns, stringed 

gules, garnished or 

Crest, a Buck's head couped. 

Bellingham pedigree in direct descent from Father to Son. 

1. Sir Robert Bellingham, Bar't. of Burnishead in West- 
moreland in time of Henry V and VI. Married Eliza- 
beth daughter of Sir Richard Tunstall, Knight, of Thur- 
land Castle, Co., Lancaster, 

2. Richard Bellingham of Manton Co. Lincoln. 2nd son 
of Sir Robert. Married Jane, daughter of John Har- 
bert, widow of Robert Morley of Holme. Buried at 
Bottsford Co. Lincoln. 

3. Thomas Bellingham, Son of Richard. Married ist, 
daughter of heiress of John Wacelin. Children include 
Richard 4th. 

Ma:rried 2nd. widow of Hotham. 

4. Richard Bellingham son of Thomas, 3ri. died Oct. 5, 
1558. Married Jane, daughter of Robert Evers or Eure 
of Belton in Isle of Axholme. 

5. John Bellingham son of Richard 4th, of Bromby, born 



40 The Purmorts in America 

1536, died Jan. 26, 1615-1616. Married Alice, daughter 
of Stephen Lodington of Scotton. 

6. William Bellingliam, son of John 5th, born 1555, was 
aged 60 in 1615, died 1620. Married Frances daughter 
of Alexander Ancotts of Aisthorp and Ancotts. 

7. Susanna, daughter of William 6th. Married Philemon 
Purmort. 

Philemon, with his wife Susan, came to Ameirca in summer, 
probably August, 1634. As we have gathered up the various 
records from many sources, the following seems to be the correct 
line of the births, baptisms, marriages and deaths of their children : 

1. Elizabeth, born in England, Feb. 20, 1628. Married 
Nathaniel Adams of Boston, 1652. 24th 9th month by 
Richard Bellingham. (See page 38 Boston Town Rec- 
ords.) In the researches that have been made, one rec- 
ord was found that a son, John, was born to Philemon 
and Susan in England, but this cannot be authenticated, 
yet there was time for the birth of another child between 
Elizabeth and the next child. 

2. Martha, born in England, Nov. 24, 1633. No record 
found regarding her. 

3. Lazarus, according to Boston Town Records, page 3, 
was born in Boston, December 28, 1635, baptized in 
First Church, January 6, 1636. No record of his mar- 
riage or death can be found. 

4. Anna, born February 5, 1638, baptized. Feb. 16, 1638, 
no other record given. 

5. Pedaiah, son, born April 3, 1640. No other record. 

6. Borshua, daughter, baptized First Church Boston. 
Member of Church at Exeter, May 4, 1647. 

7. Elias. No record of his birth or marriage or death, only 



And in England 41 

mention found of him in Bourne's History of Wells and 
Kennebunk. He and Lazarus may have suffered by the 
Indians up in the woods of New Hampshire. 

8. Mary. Supposed daughter as found in New England 
Hist, and Gen. Reg. Vol. 50, page 488. 

9. Martha, born June 16, 1653 by second wife Elizabeth. 
Baptized, 1653. No other mention of her. 

It has been thought by some that another child named Joseph 
was born to Philemon by his second wife Elizabeth but this is 
mere conjecture. Yet it may be possible. If so, to the Author of 
this book the puzzle is solved and the line of our ancestry in 
America is complete. But this cannot be safely relied upon, and 
so the case will be considered farther on in the book that each one 
may decide for himself regarding the matter. 

Note. — Among "Women Admitted" to First Church, De- 
cember 25, 1687 is the following: " Purmett, widow." 

This may have been Elizabeth, 2nd wife of Philemon or it may 
have been Lazarus's wife who was now a widow in 1687 and who 
had her home in Boston. 







The above is a tolerable imitation of the signature of "the 
schoolmaster" to the will of Alexander Bradford of Boston, as 
a witness. 

Second Generation of Purmorts in America 

As we have quite a complete and plausible record of Phile- 
mon and his large family of children, one would anticipate a full 
and satisfactory record right down through the following genera- 



42 The Purmorts in America 

tions; that the Hneage throug-h the second generation could be 
easily traced and that there would be quite a large offspring to 
enumerate, but just here is our greatest difficulty and here we 
must confess our failure to make satisfactory the complete line of 
our American ancestry. For some strange, and it may be added 
almost mysterious cause, very few accounts of this rather large 
and prominent family can be found through this second genera- 
tion. As stated before, it may be that Philemon's church troubles 
so dissaffected himself and family that they voluntarily sank into 
seclusion. 

Thev may have emigrated, as young people usually do, up 
into the north woods, or out into the newer west, as we know from 
Bourne's History that Lazarus and Elias did. As in i860 they 
were working in the mill of Nicholas Cole or as they were called, 
"The Monsam Mills." It is a recorded fact that the Indians 
became very hostile during the last half of the 17th century and 
that they committed many bloody depredations on the white set- 
tlers, murdering and taking captives many frontier men. It may 
be surmised that some of Philemon's family thus dropped out of 
history. 

We have the account of Elizabeth, the oldest daughter, mar- 
rying Nathaniel Adams but we have no record of any oft'spring 
from this union. 

There are several recorded facts regarding Lazarus, viz : 
That he settled in Dover, New Hampshire, where he was taxed 
from 1659 to 1668. Dover also barely mentions Elias, son of 
F'hilemon. 

In one of the books of the Provincial Court Records of 
Exeter, New Hampshire, from 1650 to 1700 the name of Lazarus 
Purmort is found in the year 1670. This item is very important 
as it is the best clue we find bearing on the Second Generation. 



And in England 43 

There doubtless are other records in some of the Old New 
Hampshire Histories giving fuller account of this man Lazarus 
and even of Elias, but as yet they have not come to the knowl- 
edge of the Author of this book. It is judged there must be such 
records since Savage in his book states that he imagines that 
this Lazarus was father to Joseph of New Castle, New Hampshire. 

What became of all the rest of Philemon's family has not 
yet appeared in print. We must therefore conclude that : 

3. Lazarus, son of Philemon, was married, date and name 
of wife unknown, that his son was 

10. Joseph of New Castle born about year 1650. 

Remark. — If this Joseph was a son of Philemon as con- 
jectured heretofore on another page, then we could proceed with 
as clear a lineage as any American family ; but since this is quite 
problematic we must suffer the defeat and still hope for future 
developments. 

Third Generation of Purmorts in America 

If this Joseph of New Castle, New Hampshire, was son of 
Lazarus as we have taken for granted, then this Joseph No. 10 
heads the family for this third generation. If he was Philemon's 
son and Lazarus's brother, then he belonged to the Second Gen- 
eration and we have up to date but Nine Generations in America 
instead of ten as has been claimed. There is no doubt about the 
reality of this Joseph for his name appears again and again and 
very prominently in the old original Provincial Court Records at 
Exeter, New Hampshire, from 1650 to 1700. He is mentioned 
in 1663 as witness to some documents. The following is quoted 
"In december, 1672 Joseph Purmort, age 22 years gave testimony 
in court." From this we gain that he was born in 1650. In this 



44 The Purmorts in America 

case Lazarus could not have been his father as Lazarus was bom 
in 1635. Either these dates are erroneous or this Joseph was 
the son of some older man, and in this case he was without doubt 
Philemon's son by Elizabeth, his second wife. As stated on an- 
other page, if Joseph was Philemon's son, then the birth date of 
1650 of Joseph, would fill up the gap of birth dates of from two to 
three years each in Philemon's family. 

This Joseph is usually mentioned in the old records as 
Joseph of New Castle. In these records is found the following: 

*Tn the 35th year of Reign of King Charles, 2nd, Joseph 
Pumiort gave bonds for privilege of keeping tavern and would 
have no unlawful games or disorder therein." 

"In 1681 Joseph Pormort was fined for keeping a disorderly 
house and selling drink." 

On April 15, 1683 Joseph Purmort petitioned for a license 
to keep a house as formerly, and a license to sell beer, there 
being none in that end of the island. He adds 'T should not have 
desired this of your Honors but that trading is very dead, espe- 
cially for those of my calling, and my charge of children great 
and no other way to maintain had made nothing by former 
license." 

Attention is called to his mention of having "charge of chil- 
dren" as it surely signifies that he had offspring and this bears 
on the history of the next generation. 

This history proves there were efforts made in those far back 
days to regulate the selling of strong drink, and that license 
was granted with bonds given to insure the regulation, but the 
same then as now, the business was ruinous to respectability and 
good morals, for even a Purmort coming from so noted and pious 
a man as Philemon, either as son or grandson, attempting to keep 
a respectable house, a tavern, where strong dring was sold, soon 



And in England 45 

fell into unlawful transactions, violating his bond, and was fined, 
and no doubt his character and reputation were placed under 
great suspicion. At this far off day we recall the record and 
publish it with reluctance and shame, and we would point to it 
as an example, in the remote past, of a very bad business that has 
not lost one whit of its bad odor or ruinous influence in all these 
years since, and we give it as a warning to others in all the 
future, "Taste not handle not." 

Again we quote from same source. "In 1682 Joseph and 
Hanna Purmort of Philadelphia were required to appear at Court 
at Portsmouth and give testimony in a case." This Hanna was 
Joseph's first wife, her maiden name was Hanna Woody's. Again 
"In 1674 Joseph Purmort was a constable and issued papers from 
court." 

In the county records of Deeds at Exeter, New Hampshire, 
it appears that in the year 1705 Joseph Purmort of New Castle, 
Saltmaker, purchased land in New Castle. That Joseph Purmort 
and his wife Judith Purmort conveyed land in New Castle in 17 10. 
This was probably his second wife. 

There has been handed down in one branch of the Purmort 
family a tradition, though variously stated, yet contained enough 
in common to prove it to be the same story. It ran somewhat as 
follows : There was a legend handed down by old grand- 
fathers that in olden times there was in the family a Purmort 
who was a sort of free hooter or lawless character who roved the 
high seas and was held in suspicion by the people as one engaged 
in the slaveship trade and who also led a sort of piratical life. 
That he finally lost his life by violence somewhere on the sea 
coast or came to some untimely end. 

Thus far in all the researches of the family the nearest 
approach to any such a character as this tradition conveys is this 



46 The Purmorts in America 

"Joseph of New Castle," who was a constable at the early age of 
21, was connected with the courts at 22, was fined for keeping a 
disorderly drinking house, was licensed to keep a tavern but 
forced by law to pledge himself to have no unlawful games or 
any disorder in his place, who was called all the way from Phila- 
delphia to Portsmouth with his wife to give testimony in case 
at court the character of which is not mentioned, who was later a 
Saltmaker and a speculator in lands. Such was "Joseph of New 
Castle." And though a "hustler" and a business fellow yet 
suspicion rises against him and we must give him the credit for 
the "Tradition" if any Purmort must bear it. 

Either the son or the brother of Lazarus, who was the son 
of Philemon, was this Joseph. He was a citizen of New Castle, 
New Hampshire, and became a prominent man of business and of 
wealth. Much time and money have been expended to get more 
accurate history of this man for our Genealogical connection, 
but only the date of his birth by inference, can be learned and that 
he was twice married and owned much property in and around 
New Castle. No record of his family has been discovered, only 
the names of his two wives as they appear on court records in 
connection with property transfers. Yet this Joseph stands un- 
questionably as the connecting link between Philemon and Laz- 
arus and the Purmorts that follow. Both the time and the place 
of his exploits in life unmistakably cnnnects him with Philemon's 
family and with the Purmorts that follow right on in his vicinity. 

This history of Joseph of New Castle is the very best that 
can be given, the only record that can be found of the family for 
this Third Generation. 

In the genealogy of the Cotton family it is found that Judith 
daughter of John Cutt, of Portsmouth, married first Joseph Pur- 
mort, and afterwards she married Solomon Cotton. This record 



And in England 47 

does not in any way solve our difficulty, as nothing new is added 
from this source, only that Judith, Joseph's second wife, was 
married the second time and into the Cotton family. 

Fourth Generation of Purmorts in America 

11. John (i) Purmort of New Castle, New Hampshire, is 
No. 1 1 in the list and heads the fourth generation accord- 
ing to the records thus far discovered and adopted by the 
Author of this book. 

With this man the record is clear and complete and no more 
confusion is experienced in the line. The records of New Castle, 
New Hampshire, give the following very clear and direct account 
of this John ( i ) : 

John Purmort born, July 13, 1715, died October 5, 1758. 
Married March 12, 1741, Hannah Sinclair of Strathan 
who was born April 25, 1719, died April 17, 1785. 

12. John (2) born October 11, 1742. 

13. Anna born January 3, 1746. 

14. Hannah born August i, 1747. 

15. Joseph born July 18, 1749, died Mar. 25, 1813. 

16. Richard born February 16, 1751, died February 19, 1828. 

17. Abigal born July 16, 1753, died August 7, 1754. 

18. Mark born May 29, 1755, died July 12, 1776. 

19. Mary born March 22, 1758. 

It seems very certain that this John ( i ) was a son of Joseph 
of New Castle though the record does not so state, all we have 
is the inference on another page. If he was a son of Joseph he 
must have been the son of his second wife Judith and was begotten 
in the 65th year of Joseph's age according to all the dates given. 
There is no other Purmort of New Castle mentioned in any record 



48 The Purmorts in America 

to be John's father but this Joseph. Then it was the custom in 
olden times even more than now to keep the same name in the fam- 
ily. After naming the first born son John, after himself, he named 
his next son Joseph and this is quite significant. Then another 
reason for the belief that he was Joseph's son is that the records at 
Exeter and New Castle show that this John owned much prop- 
erty and the inference is that he inherited it from the wealthy 
Joseph. There are no Probate Records as yet discovered by the 
writer to show who were Joseph's heirs. Nothing appears till 
1759 when John Purmort's inventory of property was returned 
as follows : 

"John Purmort, Joiner, of Exeter, owned Real estate, wharf 
property, and interests in vessels, personal property, etc., and 
all was appraised at 10,000 Pounds, about $50,000.00 no small sum 
for those times, equal to a million or more in our day. He must 
have inherited this vast property from the enterprising Joseph of 
New Castle. The question very naturally arises in our minds in 
this monetary age, what became of this great fortune, this large 
estate assigned to this John (i) of New Castle? None of the 
later Purmorts have been noted as immensely wealthy and it seems 
that some of the large family of this John ( i ) would have se- 
cured enough of it to be known as rich later on. 

An extract written by an old maiden "Aunt Sally" Punnort 
of Keesville, New York, in 1878 throws some dim light on this 
subject. This Aunt Sally was a daughter of a John (3) a grand- 
son of this John (i) of New Castle. She wrote, ''My father used 
to say his grandfather left shares in the Long Wharf in Boston 
which only the eldest son could claim, as the title w^as under the 
King, also undeeded land in the town of Brow, New Hampshire. 
His brother wished him to claim this great property but he could 
never find the time. He did not like 'to leave a good business 



And in England 



49 



for an uncertainty'," The Author has thought that perhaps owing 
to the Revokitionary War, and its consequences, following on 
about this time of the death of John ( i) may have in some manner 
involved the title to some of this property by which it was lost to 
the Purmort family. 

Joseph's first wife, Hannah Woodsy or Woodhouse, accord- 
ing to Boston records, was heiress to vast property in Boston ; 
but it is not the purpose of this genealogy to go searching for 
lost inheritances, nor to inspire a hope in any Purmort for some 
great fortune yet to come. Like wise old Deacon John Purmort 
of Keesville, New York, let no one take the time to leave a good 
business to go down to Boston Town to hunt for hidden wealth. 
It is too late in the day. 

Fifth Generation of Purmorts in America 



12. 



20 
21 
22 

23 

24 

25 
26 

15 



John (2) Purmort son of John (i) born October 11, 
1742, probably at New Castle, New Hampshire, died 
April 7, 1786. 

Susanah his wife born 1739 and died at West 

Enfield, New Hampshire, Mardh 21, 1819, in her Both 
year. Their children's names and births as follows : 
Mary born March 25, 1765, died July 24, 1835. 

John (3) born May 25, 1774, died October 2, , 

Joshua born February 7, 1776, d . 

Mark born May 4,1778. 

Nathaniel born May i, 1780. 

Richard born July 8, 1872, 

Thomas born February, 1785, no farther record of him. 

Joseph Purmort, son of John (i) born July 18, 1749, on 

Friday, died March 25, 18 13. Married Mercy Dollofif 



50 The Purmorts in America 

of Exeter, New Hampshire, Feb. 28, 1775. She was 
born December 6, 1752, on Wednesday, died October 
31, 1785, on Sunday. Their children: 
2^. Miriam born December 25, 1775, on Monday, died 
March 25, i860. 

28. Hannah born May 13, 1777, on Tuesday, died July 7, 
1812. 

29. Abner D. lx)rn March 13, 1781, on Tuesday, died Jan. 
18, 1876. 

30. John born October 25, 1784, on Sunday, died Jan. 30, 
1862. 

It is very probable that this Joseph No. 15 was a soldier in 
the Continental Army, as the following- entries are found in the 
New Hampshire State Papers. But from these entries it appears 
there were more than one Joseph Purmort in the Army. If there 
were other Josephs than this No. 15 we are not able to settle their 
family connections, but must therefore conclude there were several 
other Purmort families in those times whose records we have failed 
to discover. In New Hampshire State Papers Vol. 15, page 748. 
is found the following: 

"New Hampshire men in the service of Massachusetts Reg." 
Joseph Purmort in Col. Loammis Baldwin's Regiment in Camp 
at Sewell's Point, September 26, 1775. One of the 35 names 
registered from Exeter." 

Again New Hampshire State Papers, Vol. 15, page 285: 
"Joseph Purmort or Pormutt, No. 91 on Muster Roll of that 
part of the Regiment of Militia commanded by Nicholas Oilman, 
Esquire, who are raised in the State of New Hampshire to re- 
inforce the Northern Continental Army, etc." (108 names in all) 
per receipt dated September 12, 1777, mustered and paid at 
Exeter. 



And in England 51 

Again in same, page 287 : 

"Joseph Purmort No. 11 of 52 names of Pay Roll of Capt. 
Zebulon Oilman's Co. in Col. Stephen Evan's Regiment marched 
and joined the Continental Army at Saratoga, 1777. Joseph 
Purmutt corporal, entry Sept. 8, 1777. Discharged Dec. 15, 
1777. Allowed for travel out to Bennington and home to New 
Windsor. Pay Roll certified, etc., Jan. 14, 1778. This may have 
been one and the same Joseph, who having had a taste of Army 
life in 1775 re-inlisted again in 1777 and still again, and this 
time having had experience, became a corporal. The dates would 
allow this view. 

We are led again to conclude that there were other families 
of this name from the following entries found in Recorded Mar- 
riage Intentions at Boston. 

John Piemont and Harriet Trimble, Feb. 15, 1760. 

John Piemont and Hannah Crosby, Oct. 20, 1762. 

John Rabananah Piermount and Joanne Rust, May 14, 1761. 

Under Census beads at Boston we find : 

John Permont, Boston, 2 males, i male under 16 and 5 
females in family in 1790.. 

Aug. 10, 1788, Publication of Marriage intentions, Robert 
Otis of Lebanan and Polly Purmot of Enfield. This Polly must 
have been Mary, first child and only daughter of John (2). She 
was born March 25, 1765, and was 23 years old at the above date. 

16. Richard Purmort, son of John (i) born Feb. 6, 1751, 
died Feb. 19, 1828, and now rests in the cemetery at 
Enfield, N. H. 

There is found in the New Hampshire State Papers, Vol. 15, 
page 164, the following record. "Richard Purmort was drawn 
(drafted) May 27, 1776. Entered service July 20, 1777, dis- 
charged September 20, 1777. Private in Capt. Ebenezer Web- 



52 The Purmorts in America 

ster's Company, in Col. Thomas Stickney's Regiment, in Gen. 
Stark's Brigade, which Company was raised out of the Regiment 
of New Hampshire Mihtia in July, 1777, which Company joind 
the Northern Continental Army at Stillwater. He was allowed 
traveling money from Salisbury, see Pay Roll of November 15, 
1777." 

This Richard No. 16, came from Salisbury to Enfield. He 
married Hannah Colby of Enfield. They had no children of 
their own but took into their home and reared fourteen boys and 
two girls. Minor Purmort, the writer's father, made his home 
with these kind people for many years. They surely lived for 
the good of others, and it is hoped they received their reward on 
earth, as they surely will in eternity. Some very good stories 
have come down to us regarding this good woman. It is said 
she spent much time in spinning and knitting her own yarn out 
of which she made good warm socks. In the winter time she 
would make big "Pork Pies" as she called them, and whenever 
weary travelers or tramps would call, she would always feed 
them the Pie and then present them with a pair of her warm 
socks. Her sure cure for a bad cold was a quart or more of 
hard cider and red pepper pods. Swigging a big dose of this 
she would take to her spinning wheel and make it hum and hum, 
until she could work up a good sweat, and thus she not only cured 
the bad cold but also did a good half day's work and saved a doc- 
tor bill besides. Quite a good old fashioned "strike" against the 
doctors, one would say. 

Richard was persuaded to join the Shakers at Enfield, and 
he lived with them until the death of Ann Lee, the founder. He 
soon afterwards lost faith in their belief and left them to buy a 
farm of his own where he lived till his death. He left to his 
widow, his fann which was cared for bv those whom she had 



And in England 53 

befriended, until 1838, the time of her death. One, who thus 
befriended her was Blake Purmort No. 65. He carried on her 
farm operations very successfully for several years. 

18. Mark Purmort, son of John (i) born May 29, 1755, 
died July 12, 1776. 

The Following record is found in the New Hampshire State 
Papers, Vol. 14, pages 113, 147 and 195. "Mark Purmort of 
Kingston, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, age 20, in 1775. 
A joiner by trade became a member of Capt. Philip Tilton's 
Company, of Col. Knock Poor's Regiment, May 26, 1775. Name 
on hst June 12, 1775, on Pay Roll August i, 1775, on Receipt 
Oct. II, 1775. 

We find no record of the marriages of the daughters of John 
( I ) , Anna, Hannah and Mary, Abigal died when eleven years old. 

This completes the record of all the Purmorts we can find in 
this Fifth Generation. That there were others we may safely 
conclude, but no definite records regarding them have come to 
the knowledge of the Author of this book. 

It will be observed as one scans through this history of the 
Purmorts, that a good many have followed the occupation, and 
shall we say the hereditary bent, of the old ancestor Philemon, 
of school teaching. Only two ministers of the Gospel, though 
nearly all are religious families, the Baptist church predominat- 
ing. Only one physician and that a woman. Not a single lawyer, 
and shall we say to our credit. Nearly all have been fairly suc- 
cessful business men, and a few eminently so. Farming has been 
and still is the prevailing occupation of the Purmorts. This we 
call creditable, surely happy and peaceful. 

The poet Horace has put into the mouth of a pinched old 
money-lender these words regarding the farmer: 



54 The Purmorts in America 

"Happy the man, in business schemes unskilled, 
Who, Hving simply like our sires of old, 

Tills the few acres which his father tilled, 
Vexed by no thoughts of usury or gold." 

Sixth Generation of Purmorts in America 

As many of the Purmorts in this sixth generation and the 

seventh that follows were born, lived and died in and about 

Jay, Essex County, N. Y., it is thought proper to place in 

connection with our history the following historical sketch of 
Jay, N. Y. : 

Histoiy of Essex County, New York 

By H. P. Smith, page 454. 

Jay was separated from the original town of Willsborough 
January 16, 1798, and received its name from Governor John Jay. 
At first it embraced, besides its present territory, parts of Keene, 
Wilmington, and Elizabeth town. The following is the notice of 
application by the inhabitants of Jay (or Mallory's Bush as it was 
then called) to be set off in a town by themselves : 

"Notice is hereby given that the inhabitants of Mallory's 
Bush, in the town of Willsborough, northwest district having 
called a meeting and unanimously agreed to make application to 
the town of Willsborough to be set off and to be incorporated 
into a town by themselves and have chosen John Cochran, Jr., to 
attend the annual meeting at Willsborough to do said business of 
the application. The boundaries of said town so to be set off 
are as follows : Beginning where the military line intercepts the 



And in England 55 

south of Willsboroug-h, then north to the twelve mile tree, then 
north 45 degrees, east to the south line of Perue, then west to 
the south corner of said Perue or west line of Clinton County, 
then south to the northwest corner of Crown Point, then east to 
the place of beginning. 

Ely Vane, clerk. Dated at Mallory's Bush, the 12 of March, 
1797." 

Afterwards in 1822 the town was enlarged by the annexation 
of parts of Peru in Clinton County, and Chateaugay in Franklin 
County. 

20. Mary Pumiort ist daughter of John (2) heads the list 
in this sixth generation. She was born March 25, 1765, 
and died July 24, 1835. She married Mr. Otis of 
Lebanon about August 10, 1788. Their children: John, 
Joseph and Lorane. Their place of abode has not been 
discovered. 

21. John (3) son of John (2) born May 25, 1774, in Lowell, 
j\Iassachusetts. When ten years old he moved with his 
parents to Enfield, New Hampshire. When twenty-one 
he marr.ied and moved to Jay, New York, Essex County, 
where he made his home for half a century. The 
country was then new, and in the three towns of Jay, 
Willmington and Keene, there were only nine families. 
He purchased a farm and devoted himself to agriculture, 
enduring all the hardships incident to a new country 
and frontier life. After several years of successful 
farm life, in 1802, he bought the Falls on the Ausable 
River, a beautiful and advantageous hydraulic power, on 
which stood a saw mill and where in 1809 he added a 
forge. He paid $5,000.00 cash for this mill site and 
water power. Afterwards he .discovered the title was 



56 The Purmorts in America 

not good and as the original owner was seeking to 
undermine him and secure the property he went to 
Montreal and there among lumber men and moneyed 
men he raised another $5,000.00. Came home on horse- 
back carrying the money in his saddle bags. Though 
the original owner did not want to give up the property 
he was forced to do so and Mr. Purmort secured it with 
a clear title. At this time he also went into mercantile 
business and carried on an extensive work in milling, 
forging iron and selling merchandise. At the age of 
25 he became a Christian and united with the Baptist 
Church in Jay. He was always very religious and did 
not allow his large business interests to supplant his 
church duties. He loved the church and gave much of 
his time and means to it. He was very liberal with his 
means in the cause of Christ in general. He serv^ed the 
Church at Jay as Deacon for 20 years, and was known 
all through the countn,- as "Deacon John Purmort." 
He was very hospitable and his home was open to all. 
He was ver}- enterprising and felt a deep interest in all 
the benevolent operations of his day, such as ministerial 
education, home and foreign missions, and for the poor 
enslaved black men. He was a positive man and of 
firm decision of character and he never failed to vindi- 
cate his opinions whether popular or not. Yet he was 
tender and kind and loving. He was a man of great per- 
severance and whether in worldly matters or spiritual, 
obstacles and perplexities, rather nerved him for more 
strenuous effort and this quality gave him great success. 
His crowning excellence of character was his piety. He 
was a man of daily fervent prayer and this carried him 




JOHN (3) PURMORT. 




SARAH WALWORTH PURIvrORT. 



And in England 57 

through his daily Hfe with joy and good favor with 
men. In the family, in the social circle, in the church 
and in the w^orld he was the same mild, consistent, 
amiable and lovely Christian man. As he lived, so he 
died. The God whom he had served in life forsook him 
not in death. He died peacefully surrounded by his 
family and all the county around felt the loss with keen 
sorrow. He had visited some relatives up in Canada 
and the fatigue and exposure of the journey were too 
much for his w-eakened condition, for within three weeks 
after his return home he passed from earth to his God. 
The old stone Baptist Church which he helped build, 
where he punctually attended, which he liberally sup- 
ported and from which he was buried, still stands as it 
has for these past generations, a bethel still, for devout 
worshipers of God. On Feb. 12, 1795, in the 21st year 
of his age, this John (3) married Sarah Walworth in 
the town of Enfield, New Hampshire, a worthy woman 
for this good man. From the Genealogy of the Wal- 
worths called "The Walworths of America" on page 
yT) is found the following record : "Sarah Walworth, 
3rd daughter of Charles the ist of Canaan and grand 
daughter of William of Noank was born October 30, 
1774. She married John Purmort of Enfield, New 
Hampshire. She died April, 1858, at the age of 83." 
Their children : 

31. John (4) Purmort son of John (3) born May 26, 1796, 
died Keeseville, N. Y., July 16, 1877. 

32. Rosamond born December 9, 1797, died 1879. 

33. Nathaniel bom May 11, 1799, died April 6, 1885. 

34. Polly born Feb. 17, 1801, died Aug. 31, 1822. 



58 The Purmorts in America 

35. Philura born January 9, 1803, died September 19, 1884, 
at Bennington, Vt. 

36. Infant son born April 28, 1804, died 1804. 

37. James Harvey born August 14, 1805, died July 11, 
1859. Bachelor. 

38. Sarah born August 3, 1807, died 1887, at Detroit, Mich. 

39. Phineas born August 28, 1809, died July 4, 181 5. Jay. 

40. Infant son born January 12, 1811, died 1811. 

41. George Arnold born October 4, 181 2, died Feb. 12, 1887. 

42. Harriet H. born August 3, 1814, died 1866. 

43. Adoniram J. born May 6, 1817, died 1854. 

A descendant of this Deacon Punnort and now a business 
man of position writes thus regarding him : "Deacon John Pur- 
mort, the father of the Purmort Works and Falls at Jay, Essex 
County, New York, and which was continued under the name of 
J. H. Purmort & Co., was a remarkable man and his wife was as 
remarkable a woman. As a business man he was far seeing, 
building up a property of cast-iron, forges making pig iron, 
which had a market in Boston, saw mill, flour and grist mills, 
carding factories, machine shops, paint and cooper and coffin 
factories, wagon works and a general merchandise store. He 
also ran in connection with this large factory business two large 
farms where he made charcoal. All the machinery was propelled 
by water power and this required a great dam built across the 
river. Besides this he practically built the stone Baptist Church 
that still stands and is occupied. All this worked out of the wil- 
derness was his business project and attainment. He had eleven 
grown children, six boys all tall, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches and the 
five girls were equally large and well built. A fine family, greatly 
respected by all who knew them." Another makes mention of 
him as "A large nice looking old gentleman with sandy hair." 



And in England 59 

22. Joshua Purmort of John (2) born February 7, 1776, in 
Lowell, Massachusetts, died at Kempville, Canada, of 
diabetes about the year 1843. He moved to Enfield, 
New Hampshire 1784, married at Enfield Feb. 9, 1796, 
Eunice Walworth who was born at Caanan, New Hamp- 
shire, July 25, 1773. She died at Kepmville, Canada, 
of Colera Morbus, six weeks before the death of her 
husban in her 70th year. In the "Walworths of Amer- 
ica," page 73, is found the following entry : 

"Eunice Walworth second daughter of Charles ist of 
Canaan and grand daughter of William of Noank." 

The Walworths have been a noted family in the Em- 
pire State in past history. Chancellor Walworth is 
noted in juris prudence and his works are found on 
the shelves of every prominent and well booked lawyer 
of the country. The following is the outline of the de- 
scendants of the Walworths down to these sisters, Sarah 
and Eunice who married the Purmort brothers John 
and Joshua. 

1. William Walworth of Fisher's Island came from neigh- 

borhood of London to New London colony in 1689. 

Married Seaton English woman who was born 

1669. 

2. William Walworth of Noank, eldest son of William of 

Fisher's Island born June, 1694, died May 17, 1774, 
married January 16, 1720 Mary Avery, 

3. Charles Walworth son of William of Noank born 1745 
married Lucy Harris. He was in the Revolutionary 
Army and the inscription on his tomb gives him the 
title of Captain. He was a very strong religious char- 
acter. He had three sons and four daughters. Sarah 



6o The Purmorts in America 

Walworth Purmort and Eunice Walworth Purmort 
were his daughters and from them came the Walworth 
blood that now flows in the veins of these two branches 
of the Purmort family. Both of these women were 
strong in character and were especially religious and 
gave this training to their families. A story is told of 
Eunice that gives one trait of her character. It appeared 
that many articles were disappearing from the cellar 
such as meal, vegetables, etc. A watch was set for the 
thief but failed for weeks. One night the good woman 
Eunice heard the prowler at work in the cellar. She 
quietly awakened her husband Joshua who slept soundly 
by her side. He arose hurriedly and started for his 
gun, for he was a resolute man and meant serious 
business. As Eunice laid in the bed waiting results, she 
thought the whole matter through and well knowing 
her husband's determination and that he might soon 
become a murderer, she screamed out at the top of her 
shrill voice, "Run thief run Joshua is going to shoot you. 
Run thief run." It may not be necessary to say the 
thief took the hint and also took to his heels and Joshua 
escaped from becoming a murderer. 

The following letter was received from the War 
Department at Washington, D. C, under date April 
9, 1898. 

"The records of this office show that one Joshua 
Purmort served as private in Capt. Daniel Blish's Com- 
pany in Sandard's battalion of New York Militia, War 
1812. His name appears on the roll for the period from 
August I to 3, 1813, without remark relative to his 
service. The records also show that one Joshua Pur- 



And in England 6i 

mort served as a private in Capt. Blish's Company of 
Sanford's unregimented battalion of New York Militia 
War of 1812. His name appears on the roll for the 
period from September 2 to 13, 18 14, which bears the 
remarks 'Commencement of service Sept. 2, 1814.' Ex- 
piration of service Sept. 14, 1814. Term of Service 
thirteen days, resident 30 miles from place of discharge. 

By authority of the Secretary of War, F. C. Ams- 
worth. Col. U. S. Army." 

Joshua with his wife Eunice settled on the Old York 
State farm not far from Jay (about two miles), when it 
was still a wilderness, and he developed it from its wild 
condition up to good improvement. There were many 
wild animals in the country in that day coming down 
from the mountains. One day when his little girl Lucy 
was with him out in the clearing playing a short dis- 
tance from her father, he heard her shout out in child- 
ish glee, "I do see a doggie, I do see a doggie." On 
looking up Joshua saw a large timber wolf near the 
child and about to spring upon her. He was not slow 
with ax in hand to rescue his child. Joshua was a great 
hunter and brought home much game for his table. 
This trait in his character may in part account for the 
great love of a gun and a good hunting dog, found in 
so many of his progeny still. It is said of Joshua that 
he had a remarkable voice for which he was famous in 
his day. In winter time when out chopping or hunting, 
should 'he chance to run across a moose track in the 
deep snow he would raise his voice and give his call 
and soon the neighbors for miles around would gather 
for the round up, and very seldom would the game escape 



62 The Purmorts in America 

them. All these experiences of early frontier life served 
to break the monotony and give excitement to the neigh- 
bors and friends in those early times. The Boyntons 
and Blishes and others were their neighbors and friends 
and many were the grand old hunts and log raisings 
and military drills they had together. A letter has been 
received from one of the Sarah Walworth branch say- 
ing: 'T was surprised to learn that your Grandmother 
Eunice was a Walworth, a sister of my Grandmother 
Sarah. I have heard father say that Grandfather went 
to Jay from Enfield, New Hampshire, and built a log 
house on what we called the 'Matthew's Farm' about 
two miles below the village and that grandmother and 
her sister went there on horseback later in the fall and 
that they gathered moss to chink the cracks between 
the logs before they went to bed the first night. I 
presume that sister was your grandmother, Eunice." 
Joshua and Eunice built a log house and raised their 
family in it to manhood and womanhood. 
The children of Joshua and Eunice Purmort were the 
following : 

44. Lucy born Nov. 15, 1797, died August 15, 1827. 

45. Minor born Sept. 30, 1799, died Oct. 17, 1854. 

46. Algetha born Feb. 20, 1806. 

47. Charles born April 21, 1803. 

48. Lewis born May 28, 1805, unmarried, died 1881, xA-shley, 
Ohio. 

49. Susanah born April 16, 1807, unmarried. 

50. Eunice born June, 1809, unmarried. 

23. Mark Purmort, son of John (2) born May 4, 1778, 
died at Enfield, New Hampshire, August 2, 1835. He 



And in England 63 

married Abigail Dole of Enfield, the date not known. 
He came from Enfield with his brother Nathaniel in 
1782 and the brothers bought farms adjoining. After 
the death of his father John he took the care of his 
mother Susanah who lived some thirty years longer to 
the ripe age of 80. 
Their children : 

51. Mary born August 2, 1802, died August 23, 1802. 

52. Joseph born September 6, 1803, died Feb. 9, 1836. 

53. Dunham born March 11, 1805, died October 25, 1828. 

54. Richard born November 8, 1806, died August 9, 1828. 

55. Nathaniel born March 26, 1808. 

56. Susannah born March 2, 1812, died Jan. 11, 1831, un- 
married. 

57. Mark born Feb. 4, 1818, died April 18, 1878. 

24. Nathaniel Purmort born May i, 1780. He lived and 
died at Enfield, December 20, 1854. He married Phebe 
Dole who died at Lebanon, New Hampshire, 1883. He 
was a man very highly esteemed in his community, a 
successful fanner and fully acquainted with the afifairs 
of his day. He was a faithful and active member of 
the Free Will Baptist Church. A man of medium height, 
thick, heavy set, when walking he usually carried his 
hands behind his back. His farm joined his brother 
Mark's. They had married sisters and must have lived 
happy and peaceful lives with their growing families. 
Such a picture of life is surely ideal. But age, re- 
movals, deaths, will surely in time break up the hap- 
piest home life earth can produce, and history can only 
chronicle the events, and leave the philosopher to his 
speculations, but the Christian with his faith can stand 



64 The Purmorts in America 

serenely by and say, all is well for God is working out 
His Eternal purposes. 

The Children of Nathaniel and Phobe : 

58. John born April 10, 1806, died December, 1869, 

59. Hiram born June 20, 1809, died July 4, 1873. 

60. Disa L. born December 23, 1813, died April 5, 1891. 

61. Almira bom Nov. i, 1815, died Nov. 2, 1878. 

62. Joseph Hazen born October 9, 1819, died July 25, 1880. 
25. Richard Purmort born July 8, 1782. He was a very 

large and fine looking man. It has not been ascertained 
whom and when and where he married. He at one time 
lived on a farm near Plainfield, New Hampshire. After- 
wards in 1826 he settled in Depyster, Lawrence County, 
New York. His family. 

63. Hymen F. born 1806, died 1876. 

64. Blake P. born 181 1, died unmarried at Depyster, New 
York, April 26, 1878. 

65. Hannah. 

66. Aunela. 

67. Albina. 

2^. Miriam Purmort born on Monday, December 25, 1775, 
died March 25, i860. Married Mr. Hancock. There is 
no farther record of her family known to the Author. 

29. Abner D. Purmort born on Tuesday, March 13. 1781, 
died Januar}' 18, 1876, age 95. He with his brother 
John moved from New Hampshire to Georgia, Vermont, 
in an early day and took up land and redeemed it. 
They were among the first settlers at Georgia. There 
were only two or three homes there when they came. 
Here they both entered the new land, improved their 
farms, built their homes, raised their families and here 




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And in England 65 

they died. Abner D.'s first wife was Cynthia Blake of 
Fairfax, Vermont. She was born March 12, 1786, and 
died December 8, 1810. Their children: 

68. Mercy D. born Feb. 19, 1808, died July 6, 1824. 

69. Hannah S. born Dec. 6, 1809, died December 9, 1888. 
Abner D.'s second wife, Susanna Peck, born July 6, 
T787, died May 2, 1827, married 181 1. Their children: 

70. Rachel born May 20, 181 2, died Sept. 11, 18 14. 

71. Joseph born July 15, 18 15, died Nov. 18, 1888. 
'/2. Cynthia M. born Sept 11, 1817, died 1889. 

y^. Sarah E. born November 6, 1819, died February 12, 
1858, Abner D.'s third wife Amanda D. Foster of 
Swanton. She died 1869. They were married 1836. 
No children from this marriage. Mrs. Amanda B. 
Traux of St. Albans, Vermont, writes regarding Abner 
D., her grandfather, "That he was a very intelligent and 
interesting old gentleman. He was very loyal to the 
Purmort name and greatly feared lest the family would 
run out and the name be lost. It is too bad you could 
not have known him as he was very much interested in 
family history. He used to try and interest me when 
a child, with the importance of keeping correct records. 
His mind was clear and he remembered everything that 
had interested him in the past. He was quite bald but 
what hair he had was white as snow." Henry C. Pur- 
mort of Chicago, who knew him very well writes thus 
about him : "Abner D. and Joseph Purmort's stock 
farm was near East Georgia, Vermont. He, Abner D., 
lived to be 96 years old. A very fine man every way, 
tall, blue eyes, highly respected by everyone. He thor- 
oughly understood his business. Had 600 acres, 2,800 



66 The Purmorts in America 

sheep, no head of Cattle, 7 cows, 5 horses, a good yoke 
of oxen. Some of his lambs would sell for $250.00 each. 
That was in i860. He then cultivated only ten acres. 
The rest of the farm was in grass. His second wife 
was a good Methodist. He was a Baptist." At this 
time his son Joseph was general manager of the fann. 
30. John Purmort born October 24, 1784, at Exeter, New 
Hampshire, died January 30, 1862. He married January 
21, 1810, first wife Susan Pettengill. She was born 
May 20, 1790, died March 20, 1813. This John son of 
Joseph No. 15, son of John (i) brother of Abner D. 
came to Georgia in an early day and had his farm and 
home just across the street from his brother. One has 
written about him as follows : "He was the kindest of 
fathers and best of friends. Rather peculiar in some 
of his ways. He never hired a man but he paid him at 
the end of the day's work. No man ever held a note 
against him. Kind and good to the poor, the sick ajid 
the afflicted. He was an enlisted soldier in the war of 
1812. Everyone called him "Uncle John." Children 
of John and Susan, his first wife : 

74. Polly B. born June 12, 1812. 

John married second wife April 27, 1814. Ruth Phil- 
lips, who was born April 27, 1791, died May 29, i860. 
Children by Ruth, the second wife. 

75. Almira H. born in Georgia, Vermont on the old farm 
April 7, 1815. 

76. Christopher (i) L. D. born June 11, 1817, died March 
4, 1817. 

yy. Charlotte B. born April 24, 1818, died Feb. 17, 1825. 
78. Emily born March 6, 1822, died March 27, 1823. 



And in England (fj 

79. Sophronia E. born August 2, 1820. 

80. Chhristopher L. D, (2) born April 20, 1824. 

81. John Y. born September 22, 1826, died November, 24, 
1879. 

82. Lewis H. bom Feb. 5, 1828, died March 4, 1829. 

83. Abner D. (2) born January 24, 1830. 

84. Mark E. born November 30, 1832, died unmarried at 
Anoka, Minn., 1889. 

Seventh Generation of Purmorts in America 

31. John (4) Purmort son of John (3) son of John (2) 
son of John (i) heads the Seventh Generation of Pur- 
morts in America. He was born at Enfield, New Hamp- 
shire, March 26, 1796. When he was born someone re- 
marked that he should be called "JOHN" and that he 
would then be the "Sixth John" in the Purmort family 
bearing the name as the oldest son. This was a mistake 
as he is the fourth in direct line. But counting other 
lines the remark that he was the Sixth was correct. 
He was born at Enfield, New Hampshire, and came, 
when quite young, with his parents to Jay, New York. 
The first home was at "Adgate Falls" now Ausable 
Chasm. Attracted by the water privilege at Jay, his 
father moved to that place, purchased the site and com- 
menced the making of iron in 1809 and so the Purmort 
forge hammer was the first to be heard resounding 
among the hills at Jay, Many other enterprises were 
added to this Iron Industry, such as grist and lumber 
milling, carding factory, machine shops, paint, coopering 
and coffin shops, wagon making, a general merchandise 



68 The Purmorts in America 

store and two large farms for raising grain and making 
charcoal. All these business operations were carried on 
with varied success for a half century under the firm 
names of "John Purmort," "John Purmort & Sons," and 
"J. H. Purmort & Co." 

Because of rheumatism in his old age John Pur- 
Purmort, Senior, was incapacitated for business, and the 
firm, under the name of "John Purmort & Sons" was 
largely managed for the time by this John (4) Junior, 
who developed an aptness for business and strict integ- 
rity which characterized him through life. No motive 
of "policy" influenced him. The answer to all matters 
in questions was : "Is it right." Perhaps the good 
noble character of this man, as well as that of his several 
brothers whose history will follow this, may be ac- 
counted for in part by the consistent example of his 
father as the following clipping will show : 

"An incident is related of his father. Deacon Pur- 
mort, which shows the character of the man, and 
with him of the son. In the early years of the 
century the use of ardent spirits as a beverage was 
universal. The demands of society required it to be 
on the side board and table, and guests were expect- 
ed to us it at will. The Purmorts were no excep- 
tion to the rule. It was on the side board, and in 
the store, and sold as freely as anything else. At 
that time the Baptist Church in Jay, then its lead- 
ing religious society, was torn by dissensions. The 
pastor was accused of 'getting drunk.' The church 
was divided, and could not decide the question. A 
council was called to advise in the matter. Among 



And in England 6g 

the delegates was Rev. Cyrus Comstock, As usual 

the delegates were the guests of Dea. Purmort, 

when at dinner appeared the inevitable 'decanter,' 

Rev. Comstock said, 'is this consistent? We are 

here to try a brother for drunkenness, and using 

spirits ourselves.' The result was the banishing of 

the liquor from that house and the dumping of the 

stock in the store into the gutter." 

When only eighteen years of age he was in the battle 

of Plattsburg and all through his life he took a lively 

interest in national affairs. In the year 1852 he severed 

his connection with the "John Purmort & Sons" firm, to 

make his home with his daughter, Mrs. N. C. Boynton, 

removing with her to Keeseville in 1862 where he died 

in 1877. The following obituary was published at the 

time by The Essex County Republican : 

Obituary 

John Purmort, who died July 16, 1877, in the 82nd year of 
his age was born in New Hampshire and was the eldest of thir- 
teen children. His father was one of the early pioneers of Essex 
county, and brought the deceased to Jay whene a mere child. 
When but eighteen he responded to his country's call and was 
present with his father at the battle of Plattsburg, Sept. 11, 1814. 
When about twenty years of age, he united with the Baptist 
Church in Jay. 

He was one of a long list of noble names cannected with its 
early history. For sixty years he was a most consistent Christian. 
He served his generations by the will of God, and has fallen asleep 
in Christ. His whole life has been marked with firmness, kind- 



JO The Purmorts in America 

ness and Qiristian integrity. He was possessed of a strong mind 
and noble manly qualities, always faithful to his convictions of 
right, of truth, and of duty. In his family, the social circle, the 
place of business, or in the sanctuary, he was the same true man. 
Uprightness, mercy, simplicity, conscientiousness and unswerving 
fidelity were among his marked characteristics. 

He was a man who ever felt a deep interest in his country's 
welfare and few men were better infomied upon all great ques- 
tions of national interest than he. He was a good neighbor, a 
true friend, a kind brother, and a loving father. He was rooted 
and grounded in the great principle of the Gospel ; like the sturdy 
oak, he was steadfast and immovable. Being dead he yet speaks. 
As he neared the close of life he became a great sufferer, and 
longed to depart and be with Christ. His memory is full of frag- 
rance as it is written, "The memory of the righteous is blessed." 
He retained the full vigor of his faculties, and his genial, cheerful 
nature to the last. He finished his course with joy, and has 
entered upon his reward. 

"Life's labor done, as sinks the clay. 
Light from its load the spirit flies. 
While earth and heaven combine to say, 
'How blessed the righteous when he dies'," 

It should be mentioned in regard to this great manufacturing 
firm carried on so many years by the Purmorts at Jay, that they 
sold their iron and many other products in Boston, Troy and New 
York, and during these years made large sums of money ; but in 
the year 1856, September, there came a great freshet; the heavy 
rains caused the state dam several miles above Jay to give way 
and the waters came rushing down the Ausable River, filling the 
banks and the valley, sweeping everything before them. The 
torrent swept out all the factories save one mill, destroying past 




JOHN (4) PURMORT. 




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And in England 71 

all recovery over $47,000.00 worth of machinery besides the valu- 
able buildings. The firm never survived this great calamity. The 
water power was sold out and the Purmort brothers moved else- 
where. 

Mrs. Sarah W. Newell, of Bridgeport, Vt., daughter of 
Nathaniel Purmort No. 33, writes the following : 

"The principal cause of the great destruction of life and prop- 
erty during the freshet of 1856 was the giving way of the state 
dam at the head of the Ausable River during a heavy rain storm, 
which washed out all the dams below, completely destroying the 
flourishing business of the firm of J. H. Purmort & Co., consisting 
of clothing and carding works, saw mill, wheelwright and black- 
smith shop, four fire forges, 300 tons of separated ore, coal house 
filled with coal, tannery, store with about $10,000 worth of goods, 
grist mill (opposite side of the river) damaged to the extent of 
$100,000. Nine (9) lives lost between Keen and Ausable Forks." 

This John (4) Purmort No. 31, married Sept. Lois 

Stone of Jay. She was born 1796 and died August 31, 1857. 
Their children: 

85. Malvina born 1821, and died in Oakland, Calif., age 81. 

86. John (5) born Nov. 10, 1833, died at Jay Oct. 18, 1850. 

87. Ely Stone born at Jay and died at Black Rock, N. Y. 

88. Harriet born Feb. 3, 1832, now, 1907, lives at Keeseville, 
New York.. 

89. Olive W. born April 15, 1833. 

90. Rosamond, born , lives at Los Angeles, Calif., 1907. 

32. Rosamond Purmort born at Jay Dec. 9, 1797, died in 

Iowa, 1879. Married Joel Peck, a Baptist minister, Dec. 
12, 1822. Their children : 

James H. Peck, of Stronghurst, 111. 

Judson Phineas Peck. 



72 The Purmorts in America 

John W. Peck, a dentist at Canton, 111. A Deacon 

in Baptist Church. 

Mary Peck married Earl Boynton. Lives in Iowa. 
33. Nathaniel Purmort born May 11, 1799, died April 6, 
1885. This man was the farmer of the Purmort Firm. 
He attended also to the coal pits where charcoal was 
made for the forges. He was a great worker and made 
his department move on with great energy. When 
young and working the farms he was a great joker and 
loved fun, always stirring up the boys. When he had 
gone too far with his jokes, as often occurred, he would 
make it all rig'ht with maple sugar and a lively ride on a 
buckboard behind his bob-tailed horse. He had a jack 
on the farm that had a wonderful bray, and this greatly 
amused him. He would frequently get some one of his 
nephews on this jack and then start him off with the 
crack of his whip. Soon the old fellow would buck and 
off would go Mr. Boy with a thump over the animal's 
head, only to pick himself up and hear the roar of 
laughter from "Uncle Nat." A grandson, N. H. Pur- 
mort of St. Louis, Missouri, writes regarding him : "I 
remember Grandfather as a man of sterling integrity, 
loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a 
man of but few words but very sincere and earnest in 
all his expressions. 

Nathaniel united with the Baptist Church February 14, 
1833. As a Christian, faithful, consistent, living faith- 
fully in the fulfillment of his church vows. Energy, 
thoroughness and perseverence were noted characteris- 
tics. Actively engaged in successful business with his 
brothers (Arnold and Harvey), firm of J. H. Purmort 




NATHANIEL PURMORT. SON OF JOHN (3) PURMORT. 




PARMELIA HARWOOD PURMORT. 



And in England 73 

& Co. on the Ausable River, till the year 1856 when by a 
freshet the works were totally or nearly destroyed. In 
1858 removed with his family to Scotland county, 
Missouri, residing on a farm till 1862 when the 
excitement and peril incident to the Civil War 
compelled him to return East. In Willeborough, 
N. Y., he superintended the rebuilding of the 
iron works of Homan & Belden Nobles. At the close 
of the war in September, 1865, returned to Missouri. 
His wife died December 24th of typhoid fever the same 
year. All who knew her testify to her unselfish, sympa- 
thetic, benevolent Christian character. Active in church 
work. Present at all the services, if possible, with her 
family. Not one allowed to remain at home unless in 
case of sickness. A teacher in the Sunday School. As 
a mother loving though firm and patient. Never a cross 
or impatient word was ever heard from her by one of 
her children. 

In October, 1828, Nathaniel married Pannelia Harwood 
of Bennington, Vermont. She was born 1807 and died 
at Memphis, Missouri, December 24, 1865. The children 
of Nathaniel Purmort and Parmelia Harwood Purmort: 

91. William Wallace born Aug. 22, 1830. 

92. Louisa born December 11, 1832. 

93. Sarah born Nov. 10, 1834. 

94. Lavina born Sept. 19, 1836. 

95. Janette born Feb. 15, 1841, died unmarried Nov. 10, 1865. 

96. Maria born Feb. 4, 1846. 

97. Mary born June 19, 1848. 

35. Philura Purmort born January 9, 1803, died September 
19, 1884. She was a faithful member of the Baptist 
Church. When married she united with the Free Church 



74 The Purmorts in America 

of Christ with her husband. She married Sept. 21, 1826, 
Judge Perez Harwood of Benning-ton, Vermont. Their 
children : 

Albert W. Harwood, bom Oct. 4, 1828, died June 

24, 1894. 

Harriet E. born July 24, 1830, died Feb. 13, 1848. 

Martyn H. born July 5, 1832, now living in Cali- 
fornia. 

John P. born Jan. 18, 1834, now living in California. 

Edward born April 11, 1836, died March 6, 1840. 

Frederick born Feb. 9, 1828, died Dec. 28, 1864. 

Lenora born July 27, 1841, died Jan. 5, 1873. 

Edwin bom Jan. 12, 1846, died Dec. 11, 1867. 
Philura Purmort was born in Jay, Essex county, N. Y. She 
attended not only the common schools but received, as well, an 
academic education. She was married in Jay to Perez Harwood 
of Bennington, Vermont, who was not only a large owner of real 
estate but was throughout his career prominent in military, politi- 
cal and judicial life. Under the old militia system of the state he 
rose from the position of drummer boy to that of Major General 
and was in command of the state troops at the time of the discon- 
tinuance of the law. He was several times elected to the State 
Legislature, both as representative and senator. On account of his 
long service and his ability, his name was identified with many 
important events in the state history. He was in no sense an 
autocrat but was a man of the people and was loved and revered 
by all. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Harwood was made in Benning- 
ton, in which place they always resided. There the bodies of 
both were laid to rest, in the old cemetery under the shadow of 
the First Church, after they had reached a ripe old age. Philura 




PEREZ HARWOOD. 




FHILURA PURMORT HARWOOD, WIFE OP JUDGE PEREZ HARWOOD. 



And in England 75 

Purmort Harwood survived her husband by some years, dying 
September 19, 1884, at the age of eighty-one, her husband, 
Perez Harwood, having died Feb. 5, 1874, at the age of 72. 

Phihira Purmort, wife of Perez Harwood, was of a very 
retiring, gentle disposition, and a woman of strong faith. Her 
interests were not wide, but were centered in her family and her 
God. She was a devoted wife and mother and looked well to the 
ways of her household. Neatness and daintiness radiated from 
her and she always gave forth an atmosphere of comfort and 
cheer. Her husband for whom she had a deep love and admira- 
tion, and six of her children were taken from her by death. 
Although three splendid sons had grown to manhood, and one 
an attractive boy of six, was snatc^hed by an awful and sudden 
death, and her two daughters had developed into beautiful young 
women, her faith never faltered but shone bright and clear 
through all her sorrow. Her last years were passed in the home 
of her second son, H. Martyn Harwood. With hands never idle 
she waited serenly "for the blessed light to come" delighting in 
the children of her three surviving sons and in her much loved 
Bible and books of faith which were always near her. 

37. James Harvey Purmort born August 14, 1805, died 
July II, 1859. He never married. The only bachelor 
in this family. He was at the head of the Purmort 
Firm for many years. A very fine business man. He 
was unlike his brother Nathaniel, as he was quiet and 
sedate. He even thought the reading of the New York 
Ledger would spoil one of his young nephews. His 
sister Sarah spoke up and said, "Harvey, you should 
quit smoking before talking that way." 

38. Sarah Purmort born at Jay, August 3, 1807, died at De- 
troit, Mich., 1887. 



76 The Purmorts in America 

Obituary of Miss Sarah Purmort 

"Miss Sarah Purmort, daughter of Deacon John Purmort of 
Jay, the last survivor of that large family, died after a brief ill- 
ness at the home of her niece, Mrs. John Mathews, July 17, 1887, 
in Detroit, Michigan, aged nearly eighty years. The deceased 
was well known in Jay where she lived for more than 60 years. 
She was highly esteemed, and deeply loved by all who knew her, 
because of her many lovely traits of character. Early in life she 
became a Christian and was a devoted, consistent member of the 
Baptist Church for over seventy years. In her younger days, 
she was unusually active in all Christian work, especially the mis- 
sionary cause. Many boxes have been packed by her hands to be 
sent to the home and foreign fiedls. Feeble health has long con- 
fined her to her home but it can truly be said of her, 'She hath 
done what she could.' She always maintained a cheerful spirit, 
and had a kind word for every one. She took a deep interest in 
all that transpired about her and read extensively until failing 
sight prevented her. The tender care that she gave her aged 
mother, was richly rewarded by her loving niece, Mrs. Mathews, 
who anticipated every want, and ministered to her constantly for 
years. After appropriate funeral services at Detroit the remains 
were taken by friends to Chicago for interment. Her nephew, 
Henry C. Purmort, and a few friends and relatives met and 
followed the loving aunt to Oakwood Cemetery. Rev. John 
Mathews conducted brief and suitable services at the grave." 
41. George Arnold Purmort born Oct. 4, 1812, died Febru- 
ary 12, 1887. This brother was the machinist of the 
large manufacturing establishment at Jay. Milling was 
his trade and in this he was an expert for his day. The 
following story is told of this man: It seems the large 




AUNT SALLIE PURMORT. 




GEO. A. PURMORT, SON OF JOHN (3) PURMORT. 



And in England -jy 

family were all gathered around the table at a fine din- 
ner party when venison was the meat for the occasion. 
The conversation turned on the hunting and shooting of 
deer. Arnold spoke up and said, "Once I shot and hit 
three deer at one shot." His mother reproved him say- 
ing, "Why, Arnold ! How can you lie so." With sober 
face he said, "Well, didn't I hit Harriet and Sally and 
Rosamond with one shot ?" It was true. By a careless 
use of his gun and an accidental discharge, he had shot 
the three sisters. Aunt Sally was struck in the hand 
and she carried the shot there till her death. Harriet 
was hit on the head and Rosamond in the leg. But as 
nothing very serious came from the accident, and as all 
were well, Arnold could joke over it at a dinner party, 
and no doubt a hearty family laugh followed the 
boy's remark. On October 6, 1840, George Arnold 
married Emiline I Booth of Lempster, N. H. She was 
born November 13, 1814, in Lempster and died Febru- 
ary 17, 1879. She was a very refined lady, polished and 
dignified, accustomed to aristocratic society. Their 
children : 

98. Lucius A. born July 19, 1841. 

99. An infant son born October 30, 1844, died 1844. 

The following sketch was written by Lucius A., son of 
George Arnodl : 

"George Arnold Purmort, son of John and Sarah Wal- 
worth Purmort, was born in Jay, N. Y., October 4, 1812. 
He was one of a family of thirteen children. John, Jr., 
James Harvey, Nathaniel, George Arnold and Adon- 
iram were for a number of years in partnership in the 
iron and manufacturing business in Jay. In course of 



78 The Purmorts in America 

time John sold his interest. Adoniram also sold out his 
interest but a short time before he died. The business 
was then conducted by James Harvey, Nathaniel and 
George Arnold under the firm name of James H. Pur- 
mort & Co. 

"In the fall of 1856 the state dam at the head of Ausable 
River gave away during a heavy rain storm in the night 
and carried away forge, coal houses, saw mill, shops, 
tannery, store and contents. Nothing escaped the flood 
but the grist mill that was situated on the other side of 
the river. There were nine lives lost on the river that 
night. In the spring of 1857 James Harvey and George 
Arnold built a new forge, store and necessary shops and 
carried on the business until the death of Harvey in 
1859. George Arnold continued the business until 1867, 
when he sold out and moved to Lempster, N. H., to live 
with his son, Lucius A. Purmort, where he died Febru- 
ary 12, 1887. George Arnold Purmort was a natural 
mechanic and had charge of the mechanical part of the 
business of the firm. He was married to Emeline I. 
Booth, of Lempster, N. H., October 6, 1840, who died 
February 17, 1879. They had one son, Lucius A. 
Purmort. 
42. Harriet H. Purmort born August 3, 18 14, died 1866. 
On June 23, 1836, she was married to W. H. Buttrick 
of Jay. Their children, all born at Jay: 

Anna J., unmarried, died in Chicago. November 
25, 1866. 

Harriet, married Prof. Isaac Newell, died at Minne- 
apolis, Minn., October 21, 1868. 
George M., unmarried, died St. Cloud, Minnesota, 




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REV. JOHN MATHDWS. 




MRS. SARAH BUTTRICK MATHEWS. 



And in England 79 

January 3, 1868. 

Sarah W. born April, 1849, married Rev. John Mat- 
thews, a Baptist minister, and they now live at 
Detroit, Mich. 

Mrs. Sarah Walworth Mathews, daughter of Har- 
riet Purmort Buttrick, former wife of Simon L. 
Davis, deceased, lumber merchant of Chicago, whose 
son, Jesse B. Davis, is assistant principal of De- 
troit schools and of marked ability. She is of much 
force and strong character. Her Bible readings 
have been sent all over Michigan in pamphlet form. 
Mr, and Mrs. Mathews have two Children, George 
and Alice. Mr. Mathews has preached the Gospel 
for nearly fifty years in New York State, San Fran- 
cisco and Detroit Mich. He is an orator, and on 
public occasions he can deliver addresses that are 
of a high order and are popular with the people. 
He has had several pastorates in the city of Detroit 
and both himself and wife are regarded as earnest 
workers for the Master. 

Obituary 

Miss Harriet Purmort was the daughter of Deacon 
John and Sarah Walworth Purmort. She was born 
in Jay, Essex county, N. Y., August 3, 1814, and died 
in Chicago, 111., October 20, 1866. Was married in Jay 
to the Hon. William H. Buttrick June 23, 1836. Mr. 
Buttrick died March 16, 1850, at the age of thirty-six, 
leaving her with four children, one son and three daugh- 
ters. From the age of seventeen she was a follower of 



H() The Purmorts in America 

Christ and joined the Baptist Church, to which she was 
ever loyal. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, 
and the nation was in peril, she showed the same true 
love and loyalty to her country. She consented without 
a murmur to her only boy, the pride and joy of her heart 
to enlist, and the sacrifice was none too great. She had' 
long before promised her God that she would leave her 
father's children with Him, and she never broke her 
vow, often saying: "Though He slay me, yet will I 
trust Him." At the close of the war, she and her family 
moved to Chicago, 111., bidding adieu to her beautiful 
country home, the friends of her childhood, and the hills 
and mountains with all their hallowed associations, only 
to live one short year. She had an ardent temperament 
with an unartificial nature. Was interested in all phil- 
anthropic work, especially foreign missions. To her 
the study of missions was always helpful, inspiring, and 
fascinating. She was a firm believer in the cfificacy of 
prayer. The family altar was never neglected or for- 
gotten. Morning and evening she knelt with her chil- 
dren, and commended them to the "God of all grace, who 
was able to keep them from falling, and present them 
faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceed- 
ing joy." She had the comfort of knowing that each 
child had accepted Christ as their own personal Savior 
before death. She died of typhoid fever after a brief 
illness of two weeks. As the children all stood by her 
bedside, one of them said, are you going to leave us 
mother; what shall we do? She simply said trust, fully 
showing her faith through life. 
43. Adoniram Judson Purmort born May 6, 1817, died 




MRS. ADONIRAM J. PURMORT AND SON, HENRY. 



And in England 8i 

January 30, 1854. This brother was the junior in the 
firm of J. H. & A. J. Purmort. He conducted the busi- 
ness affairs of the company, going to Troy and New 
York City and Boston twice each year to buy goods. 
He was the wide-awake active business member of the 
firm, keeping in touch with the Iron Industry, Pig 
iron and by-products of which they were manufacturers. 
They kept a stock of nearly everything in merchandise. 
He maintained a fine home, owned good horses and kept 
everything up to date. When Nathaniel was taken sick 
with a fever, Adoniram took his place on the farm and 
oversaw a gang of about fifty men in covering coal pits. 
He worked very hard at this and overheating his blood 
soon sickened from which he never recovered. Blood 
poison followed. His suffering was great and lasted 
for five years. He died a faithful Christian death. He 
was a kind man and was a great lover of his home and 
family. The day before his death, and well knowing 
that the end was near, he cautioned his wife about the 
exposure that might occur at his funeral as it was 
winter time. He told her to dress warmly their little 
boy Henry, that he might not take cold at the cemetery. 
He was as thoughtful in all his plans and arrangements 
of life. The life and death of such a parent will always 
be remembered and fondly cherished. On January 12, 
1845, ^t Jay, N. Y., he married Amande B. Jordan. She 
was born March 12, 1826, at Jay. She now lives a 
widow in New York City. Their children : 

100. Henry C. born Dec. 15, 1845, ^^ Jay. 

10 1. Infant son, born Nov., 1847, died 1847. 

102. Hartwell born July 2, 1848, died Aug. 15, 1850. 



82 The Purmorts in America 

Adoniram's Obituary 

"Died at Jay, Essex County, New York, Janiran' 30, 1854, 
Mr. Adoniram J. Purmort, in the 37th year of his age. Mr. 
Purmort for a number of years was of the firm of J. H. Purmort 
& Company, carrying" on extensive business in this community, 
and had secured the reputation of an active, efficient and honest 
man in all his business transactions, and a strictly moral, benevo- 
ient, and worthy member in the community. His disposition was 
mild and peaceable, his urbanity of manners, with an unassuming 
and modest deportment, presented him at all times a dutiful and 
obedient son, an agreeable companion, a faithful and loving 
brother, an affectionate husband, a tender and indulgent father, a 
warm and constant friend, endeared to all who knew him and were 
capable of appreciating his merits. For some three years Mr. 
Purmort was a great sufferer, from the nature of the disease 
which in the event terminated his earthly course. Pie sought 
remedies from physicians, from the watering place at Saratoga, 
and from the water cure establishments at Brattlebon, Vermont, 
and Glenn Haven, New York, but to no lasting good results. 
Death had marked him as its victim, though in early life, in the 
midst of prospect of usefulness and when most of all it seemed 
desirable his continuance should have been prolonged. But al- 
though his prospects were thus blasted his sufferings intense, 
never was there heard a sigh or murmur to escape his lips. His 
last end was peaceful and he was enabled to make expressions of 
his confident hope in Jesus Christ, Wliich is most peculiarly con- 
soling to the surviving friends. His funeral was attended by a 
numerous circle of friends and acquaintances and a sermon suited 
to the occasion was preached by Rev. J. W. Sawyer, from 
Romans, 8, 18, 'For I reckon that the sufferings of this present 




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ADONIRAM J. PURMORT. 



And in England 83 

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be 
revealed in us'." 

44. Lucy Purmort born November 15, 1797, died August 
15, 1827. She married David Barker but no children 
came from this marriage. 

45. Minor Purmort bom September 30, 1799, died October 
17, 1854. It appears that during a part of his minority 
he made his home with Richard Purmort No. 16, the 
good man, who did so much for other people's children. 
When he married at the age of 20 he took possession of 
the old Jay homestead, buying out the other heirs and 
taking in the old folks to give them a home during life. 
He began at once to improve the old place. He built 
the stone house that still stands firm as the day it 
was finished. He quarried out the rock from the moun- 
tain side and shot them down an incline and then carted 
then to the building spot. He built barns and sheds 
and made new fences till the place was in the very best 
shape. Here five of his children were born, and here 
he for twelve years lived in peace and great prosperity. 

' But reverses came, not of his own mismanagement 

(unless endorsing a note for a large sum is misman- 
agement), whereby he lost his farm and all the im- 
provements. It must have been a terrible calamity to 
himself, and family of wife and small children and aged 
parents, to abandon the old home he had worked so long 
for, and which they all loved so dearly — for it was a 
mountain home, under the look of the old "White Face," 
with bubbling springs and clear brooks, and forest trees. 
Here, too were nearly all of his kin, with their large 
families and prosperous business life. Here was the 



84 The Purmorts in America 

dear old Baptist Church which himself and wife loved 
so dearly. But now he must depart, swept of all his 
earthly store, and begin anew in strange lands. O, no 
wonder, that many years afterwards, when burning with 
fever and dying, way out on the bare, hot prairies of 
Illinois, in his delirium, he would plead for just one cold 
drink of water from tlie cool springs of his old Mountain 
Home in northern New York. About the year 1840 he 
moved with his family to Kempville, Canada, where he 
lived for about twelve years engaged in the tannery 
business. Here four more of his children were born. 
In the summer of 1847 ^^ moved to Berlin, Delaware 
County, Ohio, traveling over the Old Erie Canal and 
landing at Newark, Ohio, going overland by team from 
there to Berlin. His devoted wife died at Berlin, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1850, leaving him a broken hearted and broken 
spirited man with a large family of small children, and 
small means for their support. He moved to Ashley, 
Ohio, and engaged in mercantile business but did not 
succeed in it. In the summer of 1854 he moved to Casey, 
Henry County, Illinois, taking his family with him. 
Here in the autumn after a long summer of great heat 
and droutli and crop failure he died, tired of life. He 
was always a member of the Baptist Church and died 
a faithful Christian. He was very conscientious 
and punctillious about his family worship ; the dear old 
Bible he used being still in use by one of his sons. 
Minor Purmort married December 27, 1829, Perlena 
Nettleton, who was born in Salisbury or Montpelier, 
Vermont, October 19, 1808, and died at Berlin, Dela- 
ware County, Ohio, February 13, 1850. 




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And in England 85 

Perigree of Perlena Nettleton Purmort. 
(6) Perlena Nettleton was the 7th child of 
(5) Jereimah (3) Nettleton who was born September 18, 
1718, died Sept. 15, 1819, and Lydia LaDoyt, whom he 
married April 2, 1795. 
Jeremiah (3) was the 4th child of 
(4) Jeremiah (2) Nettleton born October 7, 1738, died at 
Newport, New York, November 17, 18 16, and Love 
Buel whom he married November 19, 1760. Jeremiah 
(2) was the ist child of 
(3) Jeremiah (i) Nettleton born April 2, 1718, and Debora 

Jeremiah (i) was the 2nd child of 

(2) Joseph Nettleton bom 1671, died October 20, 1776, and 

his wife, Hannah Bushnell, married February 18, 1712. 

Joseph was the 2nd child of 

(i) John Nettleton who came to America from England 

1665. Savage says in his Genealogical Dictionary: 

"This John Nettleton was at Killingworth, Conn., 1663. 

His wife was Martha Hull whom he married August 

29, 1669. He died March 18, 1691. 

In the "Visitations" made in England in 1584, 1612 and 1665 

to ascertain pedigrees, it was found that nine generations of the 

Nettleton family resided in Yorkshire, England, previous to 1584 

or 1612. The name in Anglo Saxon "Netle" or English "Nettle." 

The growth of this weed has given name to many places as Net- 

tlefield, Nettlefold, Nettleship, etc. There are Nettleton Parishes 

in Counties Lincoln and Witts, see Lower's Patronymica Britan- 

ica, page 236, 

Perlena Nettleton Purmort was a woman of great mental 
ability and force of character. As long as she lived she sustained 
the courage of her husband Minor, no matter how severe their 



86 The Purmorts in America 

reverses and trials. Her father, Jeremiah,, was killed by a tim- 
ber falling on his head, and her mother was left with a large 
family of six girls and two boys, while they were yet small. 
The girls picked up what education they could find, as schools 
were scarce and expensive at that time. There is no account of 
any of them attending school much less a college or academy. 
Three or four of the girls began to teach and Perlena came to 
Jay, New York, for this purpose when Minor Purmort met her 
and they were married. She was a great church worker and an 
excellent singer. She possessed a strong memory and many 
were the old Baptist hymns she sang, remnants of which remain 
in her family to this day and are always called for by the younger 
generations on Sabbath evenings when in the stillness of the 
twilight a worshipful spirit falls upon the group. 

The Author of this book cannot allow this opportunity to pass 
without paying the following tribute to his Sainted- Mother, 
whom he never knew to any satisfactory extent : 

That she was a remarkable woman I can most assuredly 
affinn from what I have heard and observed concerning her. 
Being only three years old when she died, I have but one dim 
memory of her personally, and this very slight incident is suffi- 
cient to give me an idea of her energetic temperament, of her 
domestic solicitude, as well as of her gentle and loving interest 
in her children. She had long been sick and many of her kind 
neighbors and friends called to see her at the old "Mud House" 
in Berlin Township, Delaware County, Ohio. Her condition of 
failing strength must have been the common anxiety of all in- 
terested in her, and no doubt was the constant heavy cloud that 
overhung the home and caused a depressed feeling among the 
older ones of the family ; for I still am able to recall a strange 
childish feeling I then experienced, not knowing what it w^as, but 



And in England 87 

assumed it must be something regarding Mother, for I can surely 
remember, going many times to her bed, that was very high, and 
reaching up my hand to feel hers and to ask her some questions 
of my childish want. 

One day my oldest sister, Ellen, who was attending to the 
duties of the family had some sad experience with some bread she 
was making. She took her trouble to Mother and complained 
so sorrowfully about her failure, that Mother at once arose in 
her long white robe and went to the kitchen. I can now see 
her as I did then, standing at the table examining the dough. 
So pleased I was to see her up, that I ran to her shouting. Mother 
is getting well. I still see her looking down at me with a smile 
saying, "I guess so" or words to that effect. Then as I have 
grown older and have talked with the older members of the family 
about Mother, I am able to detect the kind of influence she 
exerted over them while living. She must have been the strong 
factor in the home. Her lessons must have been for truth and 
right and culture and Christian love. 

I have in my possession a letter written to her sister Sarah 
in Canada in August, 1847, when I was about six months old. It 
is a very long letter and gives full particulars of the journey of 
the family from Canada to Delaware County, Ohio. I am able to 
see in this letter a strong talent for description, an easy flow of 
good language, a keen sense of the mirthful, and the earnest 
solicitude of a faithful wife and watchful Mother. She shows 
her ambition by mentioning many signs of "respectability" in 
the new country, the strange people, the good qualities of her 
brother's and sister's families living there, the general thrift of 
the people, and above all of the good school house and the church. 

I have had several conversations with people, not members 
of the family, about my Mother and I have felt highly gratified 



88 The Purmorts in America 

to hear them speak of her in terms of highest praise, for several 
have remarked to me, "Your Mother was no ordinary woman." 

Her brothers and sisters all had the very highest regard for 
her and her ability, and have often mentioned to me that she was 
a remarkable woman. But I learn from one other source, by no 
means the least, concerning her character. It is the 37th Psalm 
that was her favorite of the Psalter. A woman of so large a fam- 
ily, who had so willingly and patiently shared her home with 
aged grandparents — for my father's parents lived and died at her 
home — who had also taken into her home a brother of her hus- 
band's and also two orphan children of another brother, and had 
reared them to maturity ; who had suffered so many financial 
losses — for my father lost much by other men's dishonesty — now 
in middle life with a large and needy family, and with broken 
health, could select this Psalm as her favorite, plainly shows that 
above all the disappointments of life, she had a strong faith in 
God, and a trust in Him, that made her brave in trial, and strong 
in adversity. She was a most devout Christian, an earnest mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, and died happy in Christ. I have 
always felt that her prayers in my behalf have followed me 
through life, and that in answer to them, I was directed into the 
Ministry, and have been aided from above in my work through 
life. C. H. P. 

Note. — It will be observed that most of the New York and 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts Purmorts were Baptists ; it 
will not be out of place to present in our book the picture of one 
of the most noted Baptist divine of his day. Rev. Baron Stow, 
D. D., of Boston. He was Perlena Nettleton Purmort's first 
cousin. Born at Croydon, N. H., June 16, 1801, graduated at 
Columbia College, D. C, 1825. He was pastor for a time at 
Portsmo'-itli, N. H., and then at Boston for many years, beginning 




REV. BARON STOW, D. D. 



And in England 89 

with 1832. He was very prominent in all the affairs of his denom- 
ination, and was author of many books, among which was a 
popular Bapist Hymn Book. He died in Boston December 27, 
1869. 

Children of Minor Purmort No. 45 and Perlena, his wife : 

103. Ellen Perlena born August 10, 1832, at Jay, N. Y. 

104. Minor LaDoyt born April 16, 1834, at Jay. 

105. An infant son died at birth. 

106. Francis Wayland born June 20, 1837, at Jay. He was 
killed by Gurrillas at close of the War of the Rebellion 
in Kentucky. He enlisted first in the 54th Illinois In- 
fantry Regiment from Casey, Illinois, at beginning of 
the war. He became ist Lieut, of Co. E. 3rd Bat. ist 
Reg. of Capitol Guard, Ky. (colored) Oct. i, 1864. He 
was discharged at Paducah, Kentucky, February 18, 
1865, and was preparing to return home to his friends 
in Ohio when he was killed July i, 1865. During his 
service he had many hand to hand and face to face 
encounters with gurrillas in Tennessee and Kentucky, 
and some very narrow escapes from death. He was 
passing through the country on some business matters 
when meeting a band of these desperate men he sprang 
into the Tennessee River to swim across but when near 
the opposite shore he was hit in the head by a rifle ball 
and his body floated down the stream, never to be seen 
by friends again. He was a fine appearing man, straight 
as an arrow, lithe, quick, daring, venturesome. He died 
unmarried. 

107. George Walworth born March 7, 1839. He enlisted in 
the 54th Illinois Infantry at opening of the war. Spent 
the first year in the malarial regions of Kentucky and 



90 The Purmorts in America 

Tennessee marching and guarding Rebel property. He 
took the army fever and soon died in the Army Hos- 
pital at Nashville, Tennessee, May 2, 1863. He was a 
large fine looking yonug man. Very strong physically 
and mentally. Had he lived he would have made a 
prominent man of business or a scholar. He was un- 
married. 

108. L. Lonanda born February 26, 1841, at Kempville, Can- 
ada, wliere she died September 10, 1843. 

109. Roxana Love born April 7, 1843, Kempville, Canada. 
no. Sarah Ann born February 25, 1845, Kempville, Canada. 

111. Charles Hiram born March 22, 1847, Kempville, Canada. 

112. Esther R. born July 9, 1849, at Berlin Ohio, where she 
died February, 1850. 

46. Algetha Purmort born February 20, 1806. She married 
Mr. Bissel of Mt. Forrest, Canada. They had a large 
family wliose names and whereabouts have not been 
learned. 

47. Charles Purmort born at Jay, April 21, 1803. Little is 
known of this man. He was a very large man and lived 
and died at Jay. He married into the noted family of 
Sawyer, one of whom. Rev. Dr. Sawyer, was a Baptist 
Minister, His wife's name was Eunice Sawyer. Date 
of her birth, marriage and death unknown. Both she 
and her husband died early and left their children 
orphans. Their children : 

113. Eunice born 1835, died 1851, unmarried, at Ashley, Ohio, 
at the home of her uncle Minor Purmort, who had 
given herself and brother a home for many years. She 
was a fine girl, strong, well built and healthy, with a 
gentle and sweet disposition. She started in at a young 




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NATHANIEL PURMORT, NO. 55. 



And in England 91 

ladies boarding school at Circleville, Ohio, but soon con- 
tracted a severe cold that resulted in quick consumption 
which took her away. She was an earnest Chris- 
tian and a member of the Baptist Church. 

114. Coanant Sawyer, born April 7, 1833, at Jay, New York, 
and died at Boulder, Colo., September 25, 1897. 

52. Joseph Purmort, son of Mark No. 23, was born Sep- 
tember 6, 1803, died February 9, 1836. Nothing has 
come to the knowledge of the writer concerning the 
character and history of this man. He married Sarah 
Mitchell of Enfield. Their children: 

115. Disa born February 22, 1834. 

55. Nathaniel Purmort born March 26, 1808. Little has 
come down regarding the personality of this Purmort 
other than he secured the old home at Enfield where he 
lived and reared his family in the fear and love of the 
Lord. His picture presented on another page plainly 
reads into his face. Christian character and firmness of 
purpose. An old time character, whose influence for 
God and native land, will survive in his progeny. He 
married October 2, 1834, ist wife, Sarah Colby of Plain- 
field, N. H. Their children: 

116. Lewis Berry born at Enfield November 2, 1835. 

117. Merrill C. born June 17, 1837, died unmarried January 
25, 1867. 

118. Abigal S. born June 3, 1839. 

119. Almira H. born November 10, 1841, died February 3, 
1871. 

Nathaniel married October i, 1845, second wife, Hannah 
T. Crane of Ogden, N. Y. Their Children : 

120. Mark H. born August 30, 1851. 



92 The Purmorts in America 

Nathaniel married February, i860, third wife, Clarissa 

A. Leavitt of Plainfield, No issue from this marriage. 
57. Mark Purmort, son of Mark No. 23, was born February 

4, 1818, died April 18, 1878. The following has been 

well written of this man : 

"Mr. Purmort was one of the leading and influential 
citizens of the town where he resided. He had held 
various town and county offices and always dis- 
charged his duties with credit to himself and satis- 
faction to his fellowmen. In 1875 he was elected 
one of the commissioners for Grafton County, his 
term expiring a little before he died. He was an 
active member of the Democratic party and ever 
held the fullest confidence of his friends. He was 
faithful to all his trusts and never betrayed the in- 
terests committed to his hands. For many years 
he was in the mercantile business in Enfield and 
was an accommodating neighbor, a kind husband, 
an indulgent father, genial friend and a valuable 
citizen. He regarded substance more than show in 
life and esteemed the solid virtues far above any 
empty professions or mere appearances. Indeed 
with him, if the head and heart were only right, all 
else were of little value. He died from a cancer on 
his tongue, ate no food for twenty-eight days." 

He married at Enfield, April 7, 1854, Martha Howard 

Packard. She was born February 19, 1822, died May 

26, 1874. Their children: 

121. Walter born April 8, 1846, died November i, 1846. 

122. Mary Adelaide born December 8, 1847, died at Enfield 
Center, N. H., January 6, 1901. 




6 
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o 




JOHX PURMORT, NO. 58. 



And IX England 93 

123. Charles Warren bom at Enfield Center, October 22, 1849. 

124. Henrietta Francis born March 28, 1852. 

125. Ida Martha bom October 18, 1855. 

126. Clara A. bom September 5, 1857, died June 6, 1871, at 

Boston. 

127. Fred 3.1. born July 14, 1859. 

128. Katie born August 9. 1862, died October 4, 1863. 
Mark married second wife, Hattie Durstin, of Canaan, 
X. H. No oftspring from this marriage. 

58. John Purmort, son of Nathaniel, No. 24, was born April 
10, 1806, died December, 1869. He married Elizabeth 
Farnham of Enfield. We have no personal histon.- of 
the man or his wife. Their children : 

129. Polly ]\I, born December 15. 1828. 

130. Sarah F. born June 12, 1831. 

131. Lydia S. born July, 1833, died unmarried 1853. 

132. ^Martin A'anBuren born November 2. 1842. 

59. Hiram Pumiort born June 20, 1809, died July 4, 1873. 
^larried April 27, 1833, Sarah Pettingill of Enfield, N. 
H. No personal sketch of the lives and characters of 
these have been received. Their children : 

133. Nathaniel bom March 9, 1834, died March 28, 1864. 

134. Minor T. born June 27, 1836, died May 26, 1901. 

60. Disa L. Purmort born December 23. 1813, died April 
5, 189 1. Married March i, 1835. J. B. Sargent of 
Enfield. Their children: 

Philip born June 19. 1836. 
Phoebe P. born Febmary 18, 1838. 
Clarence B. born March 2, 1844. 
Nathaniel P. bora September 19. 1848. 

61. Almira Purmort born November i, i8r^. died Novem- 



94 



The Purmorts in America 

ber 2, 1878. She married E. M. Sargent of Enfield. 
Their children : Julia A., Jennie, John H., William M., 
Frank H. 
62. Joseph Hazen Purmort born October 9, 18 19, died July 
25, 1880. J. H. Purmort, one of the thrifty and substan- 
tial farmers of the town of Lebanon, N. H., had been 
for a year or two past in imperfect health, the result 
of that indefatigable industry and hard work which 
characterized the race to which he belonged. He was 
a man of solid worth, quiet and unostentatious in his 
nature, but clear headed and with a good stock of com- 
mon sense ; loved by all who came near to him and 
thoroughly respected by all who knew him. 
He gave largely of his means, especially to the Baptist 
Churdi in the village of which he was one of the early 
members and whose interests he held dear. He leaves 
a wife and three children. 

Me married, November 2, 1843, Marcia E. True of 
Plainfield, New Hampshire. She was born March 2, 
1820, and is still living at the ripe age of 87 with her 
daughter, Mrs. Hough, at Lebanon, New Hampshire, 
and at this age she possesses all her faculties to 
a remarkable degree. She is able to write a steady plain 
band and takes great interest in the Purmort Genealogy. 
She is an earnest Christian and always mentions in her 
letters her faith in her God. She is cheerful and resigned 
to all of God's providence with herself and the family. 
Their children. 

135. Mary T. born January 12, 1844, died unmarried March 
25, 1863. 

136. Ellen M. born June 28, 1846. 




JOSEPH HAZEN PURMORT, 



And in England 95 

137. Osgood L. born November 23, 1850. 

138. Mercia E. born June 6, 1858, unmarried, living at Leb- 
anon, an invalid. 

63. Hymen F. Purmort, son of Richard No. 25. He was 
born May 10, 1806 and died 1875. Married 1st v^ife, 
Laura Hastings. Their children : 

139. Racine born August 30, 1831, at DePeyster, N. Y., died 
January 10, 1884. 

140. Sarah lone born . 

Hymen F. married 2nd wife 1863. No children by this 
marriage. 

65. Hannah Purmort born . She married Mr. Pen- 
nock of Valparaiso, Indiana. No record of this family 
has been received. 

dj. Albina Purmort born . She wrote a book of 

poems called "The Northern Harp." She was a woman 
of many sorrows and a sad heart. She lost many near 
relatives Whom she loved and cared for through long 
sickness. She voiced her sorrows in her poems, yet in 
them all there breathes a strong trust in her God. She 
married Mr. Bigelow of Pottsdam, N. Y., an M. E. 
Minister. No record of her family can be given by 
the writer. 

69. Hannah S. Purmort, daughter of Abner D., No. 29, 
born December 6, 1809, died December 9, 1888. She 
married first a Mr. Blake, 2nd George Gore. She had 
no children. 

71. Joseph Purmort, son of Abner D., No. 29. He was born 
July 15, 1815, died Nov. 18, 1888. He was born, lived 
and died at East Georgia, Vermont. It is said of him 
that he was six feet two inches tall and well propor- 



96 The Purmorts in America 

tioned physically. That he was a fine, noble man, 
moral and upright in all his transactions with men. 
Very prominent and influential in his community. He 
was once a member of the Vermnot Legislature. He 
was a model farmer and fine stock breeder. He owned 
640 acres of good land and was very wealthy. Another 
who knew him well has the following to say about this 
Joseph. Joseph Purmort, son of Abner Purmort, East 
Georgia, Vermont, bad all the graces of his father, 
except his jokes which were too personal to suit some 
people. From i860 he had full charge of the farm and 
bought stock to ship to Boston the selling market. He 
was a proud man and he had everything to make him 
so. Fine bringing up, large experience. His fault was, 
slow in courting. He might have had his choice when 
young but waited until about 55 years of age. He 
served his country and state and was well thoug'ht of as 
a business man and judge of horses and stock. On 
June I, 1869, he married Eliza Smith of New Haven, 
Vermont, who is still living, 1907. They had no children. 

y2. Cynthia M. Purmort born September 11, 1817, died 
1889. She married Willoughby Smith of Monkton, \^er- 
mont. Their children : Hannah, who married Mr. Bar- 
num, Ira, and Sarah, who married Mr. Wheeler. 

73. Sarah E. Purmort born November 6, 1819, died Febru- 
ary 12, 1858. She married July 13, 1847 Freeborn E. 
Bell of St. Albins, Vermont. They had one son and 
three daughters, Abner P. who married Eunice Hall of 
S wanton. Carrie who married C. H. Blake of S wanton, 
another daughter who married S. K. Butterfield. 
Amande B. who married, 1876, Leslie B. Truax and they 




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And in England 97 

now live at St. Albins, Vermont. They have a son, J. 
Purmort Truax, and four daughters. 
Mrs. Amanda B. Truax has been deeply interested in 
the Purmort genealogy and has written the Author many 
letters and given him much information regarding her 
branch of the family. She merits great credit for this 
interest, and surely has the sincere thanks of the Author 
of this book. 

74. Polly B. Purmort, daughter of John No. 30, born June 
12, 181 2. She married Hampton Colgrove. She died at 
Waucoma, 111., 1892. No children. 

75. Almira H. Purmort, born in Georgia, Vermont, April 
7, 18 1 5, died December i, 1880. She married 1837 
Byron B. Austin. Their family : 

Charles born 1840, died 1873. 

Mary born 1842, died 1897. 

Sefrona born 1845, ^^^^ 1898. 

Adin born 1847. 

Jennie born 1849. 

Amanda born 1852, 

George born 1856. 

Abner born 1858. 
78. Sophronia E. Purmort (wife of Alonzo A. Webster). 
Born at Georgia, Vermont, August 2, 1820, died at 
Sutton, Vermont, October 2, 1889. Mrs. Webster was 
an earnest Christian worman, held in high esteem by her 
neighbors and friends. She lived a quiet but useful life 
on a farm with her family, who revere her memory and 
are profiting by her noble example, and wise loving coun- 
sel, and her sincere prayers. 



98 The Purmorts in America 

Their children : 

John Purmort Webster born at Fairfax, Vermont, 
August 8, 1844. 

Jason B. Webster born at Fairfax, Vermont, Sep- 
tember II, 1846. 

Delucia C. Webster (wife of W. A. Corliss) born 
at Fairfax, Vermont, June 6, 1849, died at Spencer, 
Mass., October 8, 1886. 

Delilia C. Webster (wife of M. A. Clark) born at 
Fairfax, Vermont June 6, 1849, died at Lyndonville, 
Vermont, September 26, 1890. 

80. Christopher L. D. Purmort born April 20, 1824, died 
1899. He married first wife, Caroline Smith. Their 
children : 

141. Joseph C. born in Georgia, Vennont, i860. 
Christopher L. D. Married second wife, Emily Porter. 
No family reported from this marriage. 

81. John Y. Purmort born September 22, 1828, died Novem- 
ber 24, 1879. He married first wife October 9, 1853, 
Clarissa Dee; she died 1859. Their children: 

142. Lottie M. born February 26, 1855, 

143. Clara J. born December 22, 1859, died February 16, i860. 
John Y. married second wife September 18, 1861, Lucia 
Gilmore, she died July 8, 1879. Their children: 

144. A daughter born and died July i, 1866. 

145. Annie L. born August 23, 1869, died September 8, 1870. 
83. Abner D. (2) Purmort born East Georgia, Vermont, 

January 24, 1830. Abner D. Purmort was born in East 
Georgia, Franklin county, Vermont. He was brought 
up on a farm. He obtained his education at the public 
schools at Georgit, Fairfax and Milton in that state, 
and taught school for eight sesaons in Vermoni: and 



And in England 99 

Pennsylvania. He moved to the territory of Minnesota 
1856 and took up a preemption claim in Dayton Town- 
ship, Hennepin county. He held the township offices of 
Chairman of Board of Supervisors, Assessor and Justice 
of the Peace, and was Postmaster of Maple Grove for 
five years. In 1871 moved to the township of Bethel, 
Anoka county, and took up a homestead where he held 
the office of Town Clerk for ten years. In 1884 moved 
to the city of Anoka where he still resides. He is a 
member of the Universalist Church at Anoka. He 
served in the 2nd M. D. in the Army of the Rebellion 
and was stationed in Arkansas, Duvalls Bluffs. On 
April I, 1854, at Clearfield, Pa., he married Ellen Evans 
who was born at Milton, Vermont, April 23, 1833. She 
died at Anoka, Minnesota, September 12, 1900. She 
was a teacher in the common schools. Their children, 
all born in log house in Hennepin county, Minnesota : 

146. John E. born November 18, 1856. 

147. Abner A. born June 6, 1868. 

148. Mark E. born January 12, 1874. He served in the 
Spanish war with the 14th Minnesota Vol. Co. B. sta- 
tioned at Chicamauga, Ga. Was brought home sick, 

149. Govenor W. born March 28, 1877. 

150. First daughter, Ada L., born July 15, 1858. Married 
March 27, 1878, Frank Hart. 

151. Second daughter, Kate M., bom October 22, 1862. 
Married December 30, 1885, H. A. Sharrocks. 

152. Third daughter, Lucia E., born September 6, 1864. 
Married July 27, 1888, F. E. Randall. They all live in 
Minnesota, mostly in and around Anoka. The father, 
Abner D. (2), still lives and is spending the winter of 



loo The Purmorts in America 

1906-7 in California, where he has built his own house 
all alone, though now ']'j years old. 

*The BeU at Jay 

The Bell at Jay, the river's breeze, 

To North and South send greeting; 
Beneath the Adirondack trees 
The Hudson's heart is beating. 
Oh, Bell sublime! 
In ancient dust 
Earth's archives rust, 
But not thy rhyme! 
Thy voice is clear; 
I hear it here, 
Subdued by time! 

Thy counterfeits resemble thee, 

As murmurs, in commotion 
Upon the tongue-tied midland sea 
The speech of unbound ocean! 
While music fills. 
And echoes mock 
Responsive rock. 
While grandeur thrills, 
Thy tone will last; 
Thy zone was cast 
Between the hills! 

My wish for fame I'll gladly spurn, 

As youth's companions meet me; 

When I to childhood's home return. 

If thy glad welcome greet me! 

The slender fronds 

Of brake and fern 

May shake and turn 

At lips of bronze, 

Thy challenge fling; 

Thy welcome ring: 

My heart responds! 

Frank Daniel Blish 

(Published i" "The Current," Chicago, January 12, 1884) 




OLD BAPTIST CHURCH AT JAY. N. Y. 



And in England 



lOI 



*In the village of Jay, beyond the An Sable portal of the Adirondacks, 
there stands an old Baptist church, built of stone and surmounted by an 
open belfry, where, from huge cross-beams, swings a ponderous bell of rich 
and mellow tone. The rivers of these mountians, rising near each other, 
find outlets as far apart as Long Island Sound and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



Eighth Generation of Purmorts in America 



85. Malvina Purmort daughter of John (4) of John (3) of 
John (2) of John (i) was born 1821. She married 
F. H, Conro. Their children, Cassius, George, Frederick. 

86. John (5) of John (4) of John (3) of John (2) of John 
(i) was born November 10, 1833 and died at Jay Octo- 
ber 18, 1850. He married EHza A. Stiles of Jay. She 
was born August ii, 1831 and died July i, 1857. Their 
children : 

153. An infant son dying in infancy. 

87. Ely Stone Purmort, son of John (4) Purmort No. 31, 
born at Jay and died at Black Brook, N. Y.. age 52. 
He married Mary Ann Parson of Jay. Their children : 
John R. Born , died at 11 years of age. 



154 

155 
156 

157 
88 



Wales Ely born 1849. 
George Henry born 1851. 

Will F. born . 

Harriet Purmort, daughter of John and Lois Stone 
Purmort, born Jay, Essex county, N. Y., February 3, 
1832. Married June 27th, 1850, to N. C. Boynton of 
Jay N. Y. 

Mrs. Boynton is a Purmort in character as well as name. 
She is marked by a high sense of honesty, honor, integ- 



102 The Purmorts in America 

rity, conscientiousness and moral worth. Righteousness 
has been the guiding star of her life. She is a woman in 
whom love is king. She has been a devoted wife and 
true mother. Her home has been her kingdom. There 
she has ruled as queen. The greatest sacrifices for the 
citizens of that realm have been gladly made because 
love is the breath of her being. She often says : 'T 
would rather remain at 'home with my children than at- 
tend the finest concert that can be given." Most natur- 
ally her husband loved, hoiiored and trusted her, and her 
children reverence her. Her noble character, large heart 
and sympathetic nature have won for her a host of 
friends, and now she is rounding out the years of her 
pilgrimage among those who know and prize her worth. 
Such women are among heaven's most precious gifts to 
the world. Their children : 

1. Ella H. Boynton bom at Jay, N. Y., April 23, 
1851. Married June 25, 1873, at Keeseville, N. Y., 
to C. S. Taylor. No children. 

2. Olive Lois Boynton born at Jay, N. Y., Decem- 
ber 5, 1857. Married November 20, 1882, at Keese- 
ville, N. Y., Rev. P. H. Swift, D. D., of Qiicago. 
Two living children, two deceased. 

3. George Melville Boynton born at Keeseville, 
N. Y., June 4, 1863, Married at Boston, Mass., to 
Harriet Willard, December 14, 1897. Lawyer in 
New York City. 

4. Miss Harriet Malvine. now lives in Keesville. 

5. Charles Culver. 

6. Frederick. 

7. Jeanette Grace, died in childhood. 




NATHANIEL C. BOYNTON. 




HARRIET PURMORT BOYXTOX. 



And in England 103 

Nathaniel Culver Boynton born in Jay, N. Y., No- 
vember 28, 1824. Received a common school edu- 
cation, was a merchant and manufacturer in Jay 
from 1850 to 1862 when he removed to Keeseville, 
N. Y., where he published the Essex County Repub- 
lican for six years and until the office was burned. 
Afterwards he engaged in mercantile and other 
business for many years and is now retired. He 
was a member of the Assembly of New York three 
terms, being elected first in 1854 and afterwards 
in 1882 and 1883. Was a supervisor for Essex 
county thirteen years, four from Jay and nine from 
Chesterfield, and was County Clerk of the same 
county from January i, 1888, to December 31, 1893. 
He died in Chicago, III., at the home of his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Olive Swift, wife of Rev. P. H. Swift, D. 
D., on Thursday morning, February 9, 1903. 
89. Olive W. Purmort born at Jay April 15, 1833. On 
October 20, 1854, she married Melville Cox Eams in 
Rochester, N. Y. They moved to Qiicago, Blue Island, 
Illinois, where she died Alarch 5, 1889. Their children : 
Melville C. Eames born Milton, Vermont, March 
16, 1834. Married Olive Walworth Purmort of 
Jay, Essex county, N. Y., at Rochester, N. Y., Oc- 
tober 20, 1854. Olive Walworth Purmort was born 
April 15, 1833, at Jay, N. Y. (daughter of Deacon 
John and Lois Stone Purmort). Their children: 

1. Alice Lucina Eames born Chicago, July 25, 1855. 
Married April 24. 1878, to Frank O. Young, l^ive 
children. 

2. Eddy Purmort Eames born Chicago, March 9, 



104 The Purmorts in America 

1857, died June i, 1892, Married July i, 1887, to 
Isabel E. Pool of Lyon Mass. Two children. 

3. John Purmort Eames born Chicago, September 
8, i860. Lives Blue Island, 111. 

4. Joseph Purmort Eames born Chicago January 
22, 1863. Married December 13, 1883, to Mary 
Cushing Rexford of Blue Island. Five children ; 
live at Blue Island. 

5. Melville Purmort Eames born Chicago, May 14, 
1867, died Blue Island, January 14, 1875. 

6. Henry Purmort Eames, director pianoforte de- 
partment University of Nebraska, Lincoln, born 
Blue Island, 111., September 12, 1871. Married Sep- 
tember II, 1895, to Clara Boone Hansborough. One 
child. 

(Clara Boone Hansborough, granddaughter of Dr. 
Levi Boone, one of Chicago's mayors at the time 
the Emanual Baptist Church burned, he gave 
sixty thousand dollars toward the rebuilding of the 
church.) 

Blue Island, 111., January 10, 1907. 
l\Iy Dear Daughter Alice : — 

Some days since you asked be to write some words that might 
be used as a memorial in the "Purmort" book that cousin Mattie 
is interested in. In compliance I have written these inadequate 
lines which you may use as you like, you may discard them alto- 
gether and write your thought or use them in part, just suit your- 
self and I am suited. 

Olive Walworth Purmort, third daughter of John Purmort 
and Lois Stone, was born in Jay, Essex county. New York, April 



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MELVILLE C. EAMES. 




OLIVE PURMORT EAMES. 



And in England 105 

15, A. D. 1833. Her home was in her native town until the time 
of her marriage, which occurred October 20, 1854. She was 
married at the residence of her uncle, Franklin Stone, near 
Rochester, N. Y., and from that time lived with her husband, 
Melville C. Eames, in Chicago, until the year 1868, then in Blue 
Island, a suburb of Chicago, until the time of her death, which 
occurred March 5, 1889. 

Their family were six children. Alice L., Eddy Purmort, 
John Purmort, Joseph Purmort, Melville Purmort, and Henry 
Purmort. 

Eddy died in May, 1892, leaving a widow and two children. 

Melville died at the age of six years. Four of her children 
and her loved husband yet remain to call her blessed. 

How difficult to write the virtues of the perfect woman, 
the loving constancy of the wife, the self abnegation and devotion 
of the mother, whose life is in the Eden of the home which she 
consecrated by an undying affection and in which all her heart's 
blood is poured. The perfume of the rose may be suggested but 
there are no words to express it. God's greatest blessings are 
never told. Nor can I, the one whom most her loving heart en- 
dowed for thirty-five years, after the lapse of many (seventeen) 
years, and her leaving seems but yesterday, write the words that 
can tell another how she lived, and served. I cannot. Yet my 
heart tells me that all the world would be richer if they knew her 
love, and could share a little in the joyful sacrifices that went to 
make her perfect home. 

If any read these lines, that know of true love, that have 
enjoyed, beyond all power of expression, the happiness of a home 
with such a wife, and such a mother, that have bidden her fare- 
well in the glad hope of soon renewing the confidences, and joys 
of personal association, where there will come no parting pangs, 



io6 The Purmorts in America 

you, I would ask, please pause a moment, and let your own heart 
whisper all I would say of my beloved. 

What a poor tribute this, to one deserving so much? Like 
the widow's mite, it is all I have, and I put it in the treasury. 

M. C. E. 

Melville C. Eames was the second son of Joseph and Lucina 
Eames. (His father. Rev. Joseph Eames, was a Methodist Min- 
ister and member of East New York Conference — Troy Confer- 
ence as his father. Henry Eames, had been before him a member 
of the New York Conference). 

He was born in Milton. Vermont, March i6, 1834. The 
hardships and vicissitudes of a minister's lot demanded that every 
member of the family do his share toward the welfare of all. 

So I looked out for myself after my fifteenth year. The fact 
that I was enabled to help my parents in their years of care and 
anxiety cheers my heart in these latter days. I taught school one 
winter in Pittsburg:. N. Y., when I was sixteen years old. 

The money from the year's work with that earned in the 
summer farming, paid my expenses for six months in Troy Con- 
ference Academy, Poultney, Vermont. 

In the winter of 1850-51 I taught in Middle Granville, N. Y. 
My father was stationed at Jay, Essex county, N. Y., and at the 
close of school I paid them a visit. While there I fell in with 
some people who were to move to Appleton, Wis., and the western 
fever took possession of my soul. There I also met Olive Wal- 
worth Purmort, who afterwards became my wife. I went west, 
remaining in Appleton. Wis., the summer of 185 1. During winter 
of 1851-1852 taught school in Fort Howard (Green Bay). Small 
Pox broke out and school was closed summarily. After waiting 
the proscribed time and not becoming a victim, I took the first 



And in England 107 

boat in the spring for Chicago in 1852, and Chicago and its 
suburbs have been my home ever since. 

A severe sickness ruined my first chances for success ; cut me 
short of funds, but not of friends. For although I did not know a 
single person in the city I was tenderly cared for and soon on 
my feet again. 

In the fall of 1852 I went on the Chicago Tribune, first as 
reporter, later in the business department. I remained with them 
until June, 1855, then took charge of the circulating department 
of the Chicago Evening Journal and in 1868 the circulation of 
the Chicago Tribune. Remained with them until I retired from 
business April, 1893. 

I was married to Olive W. Purmort October 20, 1854. We 
have six children. My home is in Blue Island, a suburb of 
Chicago. My grandchildren are thirteen in number. 

My faith in the eternal life, through Christ, makes me glad 
in this afternoon of my pleasant day. I believe that when the 
sun sets here it will rise on a never ending tomorrow. 

I may add, that it seems foolish to me as I look back over 
seventy-three years to make even this retrospect of my uneventful 
days for other eyes to read. 

Only the anxieties that are common to everyone, the cares we 
all seek to avoid, the miniature success that makes life hopefully 
taken up have been my lot. But if you who are gifted can read 
between these lines of the many happy hours that are given to 
even such as I, it will not be as foolish as it seems. 

A daughter states : "I would like to add that father is a 
great worker and staunch supporter of the M. E. Church in Blue 
Island and has been since its organization over thirty years ago." 

90. Rosamond Purmort born , married Byron Boyn- 

ton and now a widow living in Los Angeles, Calif. She 



io8 The Purmorts in America 

has a son, Frederick Boynton, living in California. 
91. William Wallace Purmort born August 22, 1830, at Jay, 
N. Y. He had a common school education. Became a 
school teacher, moved to Missouri in 1856 where he 
taught for several years. The following obituary taken 
from the Memphis, Missouri, paper, gives a good his- 
torical sketch of Colonel Purmort: 
Col. William Wallace Purmort died of inflammation of 
the bladded at Siboney, Kiowa county, Oklahoma, Mon- 
day, November 17, 1902, after an illness of two or 
three days, aged "^2 years, 2 months and 25 days. 

About eigtit weeks ago deceased moved from this 
place to Oklahoma, locating at Siboney, a little town 
near Lawton. A short time after his arrival in Okla- 
homa bladder trouble developed and it finally caused his 
death. He was born in Jay, Essex county. New York, 
August 22, 1 83 1, and removed to Missouri in 1856, 
locating near Edinburg, in this county. In 1857 he was 
married to Ermina DeKalb, who died a few years later. 
Again in 1866 he was joined in wedlock with Emeline 
Clark. Of these two unions five children survive, viz. : 
William, Wallace, James, Nat and Miss Mary. Three 
sisters also survive, Mrs. Sarah Newell of Bridgeport, 
Vermont ; Mrs, Maria Knight of Butte, Montana ; and 
Mrs. Joel Ewing of this county. 

He united with the Baptist Church at Edinburg short- 
ly after coming to Missouri, When he moved to Mem- 
phis he transferred his membership to the church here 
and in all the years of his life, since his conversion, lie 
was a loyal and faithful member of the church of his 
choice. When the civil war broke out he joined the 




COL. W. W. PURMORT. 



And in England 109 

Home Guards and in 1864 he was commissioned Colonel 
of the 29th Missouri Militia. He served two terms as 
county clerk of this county and made a faithful and 
efficient public servant while in office. After his death 
the body was brought here for interment by the side of 
his wife who preceded him to the spirit land last May. 
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the 
Baptist Church, Rev. J. P. Sansom officiating, after 
which the G. A. R. Post of this city, of which he was an 
honored member, took c'harge of the body and tenderly 
laid it to rest by the side of his wife with impressive 
ceremonies. 

In life and health he was always on hand to take 
part in Memorial day exercises, or in paying the last 
tribute of respect to a departed comrade. Remembering 
this, the old veterans, brief as the notice was, were pres- 
ent in a body to honor his memory and assist in the 
sad duty of laying his body to rest. They loved him 
as a citizen, neighbor and comrade and will deck his 
grave with flowers on May 30th of each year as long 
as they are able to go to the cemetery. William Wallace 
Purmort was married March 4, 1858, at Memphis Mis- 
souri, to Ermina DeKalb. She died September 17, 1863. 
On April 18, 1866, he married second wife, Emeline 
Clarke. She was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, July 
8, 1 84 1, and moved with her parents to Scotland county, 
Missouri, November, 1855. She was a woman of strong 
character and good literary ability, writing much for 
current periodicals. She died at Memphis, Missouri, 
May I, 1902. Their children : 
158. William N. born at Memphis, Mo., January 2, 1859. 



iTO The Purmorts in America 

159. Wallace O. born February 9, 1861. 

160. Harwood born January 11, 1867, died November, 1867. 

161. Nettie born July 4, 1869, died February, 1870. 

162. Mary H. born July 4, 1871, unmarried. A teacher in 
Normal school at Memphis, Missouri, for some time. 
Now lives in St. Louis. 

163. James C. born September 30, 1873, unmarried. A 
teacher. 

164. Nathaniel H. born October 9, 1875, unmarried. A U. 
S. Railway Mail Clerk. Lives now in St. Louis, Mo. 

92. Louisa Purmort born December 11, 1832, died March 
8, 1862. Married O. P. Myers of Memphis, Missouri. 
They had no family. 

93. Sarah Purmort born November 10, 1834. In May, 1861, 
she married Prof. L. B. Newell of West Port, N. Y.. 
where they lived many years. Now live in Bridgeport, 
Vermont. They have three adopted children. She now 
makes her home with one, Mrs. Alice Newell Deming of 
Bridgeport, Vermont. 

Sarah W. Purmort born in Jay, November 10, 1834. 
Taught in two different districts, attended the state 
normal school at Albany, graduated July, 1856. In 
September, under the auspices of Geo. Slade's Teachers' 
Agency, went to Sand Hill, Missouri. Taught in Scot- 
land county for five years. May 2, 1861, married L. B. 
Newell, of Jay, N. Y. Taught with him five years in 
Westport, N. Y. Removed to Crown Point, where Mr. 
Newell taught for four years. Returned to Westport 
where he spent the remainder of his days. Purchased a 
farm, but his residence was located within the village 
limits. Mr. Newell fitted for college at Keeseville High 




LUTHER BOARDMAN NEWELL. 




SARAH PURMORT NEWELL. OF BRIDPORT, VT 



And in England hi 

School, graduated from Vermont University at Bur- 
lington in i860. Successful in business. Considered 
one of the substantial citizens of the town. Always 
took an active interest in school matters as a school 
principal. An institute instructor in many teachers' 
institutes in Essex and other counties. Served accept- 
ably as school commissioner of the second district of 
Essex county from January i, 1878, to January i, 1882. 
Active and influential in church work, having in early 
life united with the Jay Baptist church. Prepared a! 

History of the Baptist Churches in the Essex and 
Champlain Association. Read and adopted at the Semi- 
centennial Session held in 1884 at Keeseville. After- 
wards publis'hed by J. W. Tuttle, of Plattsburgh. Dur- 
ing several of his last years was agent for buying pulp 
wood for Ticondaroga Pulp & Paper Company. Was 
in failing health for a year. Died January 23, 1896. 
No own children. Three adopted : Mrs. Dr. Barber of 
Newark, N. J. ; Mrs. Dr. Motte, died 1888 ; Mrs. H. S. 
Deming, of Bridgeport, Vermont, with whom Mrs. New- 
ell lives. One child, Burton Newell Deming. 

94. Lavina Purmort born September 19, 1836, died Novem- 
ber, 1866. She married J. L. Morris of Memphis, Mis- 
souri. Children, Salem N. and Frank W. 

96. Maria P. Purmort born in Jay, February 4, 1846. Went 
with the family to Alissouri in 1857. Returned east 1862, 
attended the Westport graded school. Returned to 
Missouri in 1865. In 1873 went to Montana as a teacher. 
Married A. B. Knight in Butte, in 188 1, where she still 
lives. Church home in the First Baptist Church of 



112 The Purmorts in America 

Butte, where she united by letter from Edinburg'h, Mo., 
church. 

DEATH OF A PIONEER. 

A. B. Knight died yesterday morning- at 2 o'clock 
after an illness of more than two years. He died at the 
residence of J. H. Harper, where he went a few weeks 
ago from Sheridan, Mont. He went to the latter town 
a few months ago in search of health. He leaves a wife 
and a brother, the latter a physician in Michigan, who 
has been notified of his brother's death. Those are the 
only immediate relatives. 

Mr. Knight was a pioneer of ^Montana and of Butte. 
a resident of Montana for 33 years and of Butte since 
1885. He was a deputy mineral surv'eyor and had as- 
sisted in much important work in the early surveys of 
Butte. He came to Montana in 1871 and established 
the first United States signal station in Montana at Virr 
ginia City. He was a student, a scholarly gentleman, 
polished and chivalrous, and applied himself very closely 
to his books, being one of the best-posted men on cur- 
rent events in the city. During his last illness he daily 
read the newspapers and talked intelligently on impor- 
tant events, especially the Russo-Japanese war, which 
was the most important subject he followed during the 
last year. Even up to the time when consciousness left 
his mind, he read and discussed matters of great moment. 
He was a member of the Woodmen and of an eastern 
lodge of Masons. The funeral will be held today at 2 
o'clock, services at the First Baptist church. Death re- 
sulted from a general breaking down of the constitution. 




ALBERT B. KNIGHT. 





k 


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1 




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^ 




•■*;■ 


JF 


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HBP^ 



MARIA PURMORT KNIGHT. 



And in England 113 

Albert Bruce Knight was born in Livingston county, N. 
Y., February 23, 1844. In early boyhood he moved to 
Michigan, where he enjoyed the advantages of the pub- 
lic schools and of the state university at Ann Arbor. In 
1861 he visited a brother in Indiana, where he enlisted 
in Col. (afterward Gen.) Lew Wallace's regiment. He 
served through the war as a soldier in his regiment, part 
of the time in Louisiana, and during 1864, in the nine- 
teenth corps, in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., under Gen- 
eral Sheridan. At the close of the war Mr. Knight 
served his country as a United States railroad postal 
clerk. 

About the year 1871 he entered the United States 
signal service and established at Virginia City, Mont., 
the first signal station in the territory. He resigned this 
position and served one year with General Hayden on 
a United States geological survey. About the year 1875 
he obtained an appointment as United States deputy 
mineral surveyor, in which capacity he acted up to the 
time of his death. In i88t Mr. Knight married Miss 
Maria P. Purmort and they made their home in Virginia 
City, Mont., until 1885, when they moved to Butte, where 
they had since resided. They were married in Butte. 
In 1901 Mr. Knight was appointed professor in the 
state school of mines, occupying the chair of mining 
engineering. In April, 1902, he resigned his position 
on account of failing health. 
97. Mary L. Purmort born in Jay, June 19, 1848. Accom- 
panied her parents to Missouri 1857. In 1862 returned 
east where she attended the graded school at Westport. 
In 1865 returned to Missouri. In 1873 went to Virginia 



114 The Purmorts in America 

City, Montana, as a teacher. Married John B. Cook 
October 3, 1876. Died of consumption June 3, 1880. 
Consistent member of the Edinburgh Baptist Church. 
Possessed an unusually sweet and lovely disposition. 
98. Lucius A. Purmort, son of George Arnold No. 41. He 
was born at Jay, N. Y., July 19, 1841. He remained with 
his father as long as he did business in Jay, was with 
the Essex & Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Compan\- 
about two years, had charge of the forge at Elizabeth- 
town and Black River. In 1866 he bought of his uncle 
the old homestead farm of his mother's in Lempster, 
X. H. He went to the fami in the spring ; his father and 
mother came to live with him in the fall following and 
remained with him as long as they lived. He spent 
the years up to 1895 o" the farm which has been in 
his mother's family for more than a century. Besides 
being a successful farmer Mr. Purmort has been active 
in county politics, was elected to the state legislature, 
and has served twelve years on the Board of County 
Commissioners. In 1895 ^^^ sold the farm and moved 
with his family to the neighboring town of Newport 
where he still resides. He married at Clearmont, N, H., 
April 14, 1874, Elmira Dunham of New Port, N. Y. 
She was born November 23, 1849. She is a woman 
eminently domestic in her tastes and habits. Her home 
is her kingdom. A gentle, self sacrificing, devoted wife 
and mother. Yet always prompt at the bedside of the 
sufifering in case of need in the neighborhood. In all 
sincerity her children rise up and call her blessed. 
They now live in New Port, N. Y. His occupation 
farming. Their children : 




LUCIUS A. PURMORT, SON OF GEO. A. PURMORT. 




GEO. H. PURMORT, SON OF LUCIUS A. PURMORT. 









»^i. 

a 






m: 



HENRY C. PURMORT. 




L.'^BLISH PURMORT. 



And in England 115 

165. George H. born March 15, 1875. 

166. Jennie G. born April 6, 1876. 

167. Guy W. born December 13, 1883. 

168. Harry R. born June 8, 1885. 

169. Christine E. born September 29, 1889. 

100. Henry C. Purmort, son of Adoniram Judson No. 43, 

Henry C. Purmort of Chicago, was born December 15, 1845, 
at Jay, Essex county, New York. After attending high school 
in Jay, Keeseville, Academy, Rutland, Vermont High School, he 
engaged with Joseph Punuort, East Georgit, Vermont, from 
March till September, 1859, on his stock farm. Work hours, 
4 130 a. m. to 9 :oo p. m. and four square meals per day, wages 
$8.00 per month. That winter attended Fairfax \^ermont Sem- 
inary, working for small wages mornings and nights. In the 
spring was with French & Kingsley, Wholesale Hardware Com- 
pany, Rutland, Vermont, as salesman and bookkeeper till fall 
when he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., entered Eastman Commer- 
cial College, graduated in ten weeks, became cashier for B. H. 
Burt, the dry goods merchant, at Rutland, Vermont, for one y«^ar ; 
then engaged with Jay Gould, president Rutland and Washington 
Railway (first road he ever owned), as Freight Auditor, Pay- 
master and Personal Clerk. This road was only eighty miles 
*long to Eagle Bridge, New York, connecting with the Troy aid 
Boston Railway. After seven months here he had the western 
fever having been to Chicago in 1854, and left Rutland with let- 
ters from Mr. Gould. He sold out the road that fall and went to 
New York, this was in 1864, the year George J. Gould was born 
at Lake George. On arriving at Chicago became clerk to thft 
General Freight Agent of the C, B. & O. Ry. He giving Henry 
his son's place and sending him to college. Next year he left 



ii6 The Purmorts in America 

railroading and was for two years general office man in wholesale 
commission and grocery house. The next seven years from 1866 
was with T. W. Harvey, the largest lumber dealer at that time, 
the last four years having full power of attorney, then one year 
with S. K. Martin Lumber Company and then traveled five years 
as salesman for Palmer, Fuller & Company, wholesale sash and 
door manufacturers. As he regained his health he made valuable 
acquaintances in fourteen states from which since 1880 he has 
done a wholesale business for himself and has tried to keep the 
Purmort name untarnished for fair dealing. November 12, 1867, 
married Miss Lillian M. Blish of Jay, N. Y., daughter of Daniel 
and Mary H. B. Blish. They arrived in Chicago November 15, 
1867, and ever since Chicago has been their home. 

Lillian Martha Blish, wife of Henry C, is a descendant of 
the old and eminent Colonial Blish family. Their home was in 
Jay, New York, where for several years in early times the families 
of Blish and Purmorts were well tried, fast and true friends. 
"The Genealogy of the Blish Family in America," a large book 
published in 1905, gives the following: "Lillian Martha Blish 
was educated in the State Normal School at Albany, New York, 
and taught two terms at Jay before her marriage which occurred 
at the age of eighteen in the same home in w^hich her father was 
born. She is State Registrar of the U. S. Daughters of 1812 and 
a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters > 
of the American Revolution and other organizations, and an en- 
thusiastic genealogist and historian. She is also interested in 
many local charities and other good works in Chicago and is a 
tireless worker." 

She and her husband, Henry C, are members of Dr. Gun- 
saulius Congregation at the Auditorium, Chicago. A Chicago 




J. S. BRUMBACK. 




ELLEX P. PURMORT BRUMBACK. 




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13 



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And in England 117 

paper published the following several years ago, which gives an 
idea of Mr. Purmort's business ability : 

"Mr. Purmort has been a prominent factor in the Lumber, 
Sash and Door interests of Chicago for more than twenty years, 
oy his business methods he has built up a trade extending through- 
out a large portion of the country, and withal has achieved an 
enviable success, being known from both his personal character- 
istics and financial ability as one of the most substantial men in the 
sash and door fraternity." 
Their children : 
170. Eugene H. born in Chicago, July 13, 1872, died July 

15, 1872. 
103. Ellen Purmort born at Jay, N. Y., August 10, 1832. 
She was the oldest child of Minor No. 45 and Perlena 
Nettleton his wife. She went with them to Kempville, 
Canada, when eight years old and later to Berlin, Dela- ' 
ware county, Ohio, in the summer of 1847. She taught 
a term or two of school at Berlin and became noted as 
the little teacher who could manage the rude rough 
boys. Upon the death of her mother in 1850 the care 
and responsibility of the large family fell upon her young 
shoulders, which burden she kindly and successfully 
assumed for two years. As the oldest in the large family 
of children she had passed through all the trials and 
burdens of her parents in their losses and removals and 
sad experiences, yet she kept a happy heart and was her 
father's helper in those heavy years. On May 27, 1852, 
at Ashley, Delaware county, Ohio, she was married to 
John Sanford Brumback, a merchant at Ashley. Owing 
to poor health of her husband they moved on a farm on 
the Old State Road north of Worthington, Ohio, where 



ii8 The Purmorts in America 

they lived for two years. They then moved to Casey, 
Clark county, Illinois, where Mr. Brumback again en- 
gaged in mercantile business and succeeded very well. 
In the spring of 1862 they moved to Van Wert, Ohio, 
a new and undeveloped country at that time and there 
they made their home and have lived ever since. Mr. 
Brumback was a shrewd thrifty business man and be- 
came at Van Wert a man of influence and wealth. Be- 
ginning as a poor boy he made his way up the ladder to 
a noted financial success. Upon his death at Van Wert, 
December 11, 1897, he left in his will plans and means 
for a Free Library Building for the city and county of 
Van Wert, to cost $35,000.00. This was before the free 
library idea had struck Andrew Carnegie. The plan 
was of Mr. Brumback's own origination and in his plan 
not only the city of Van Wert has the benefit of a fine 
free library but also the entire county of Van Wert can 
secure books from appointed stations, and the plan is 
proving that the rural folk have as great taste and 
pleasure in the privileges afiforded as the town people. 
The fine stone building is a very gem of architecture 
and makes a beautiful adornment to the town that can 
be seen to good advantage by passengers riding through 
on the Pennsylvania Railway. Mr. Brumback was a 
man of fine appearance and of a very kind and happy 
disposition. A good husband, a noble father and a 
worthy citizen. His good judgment was a marked char- 
acteristic with him. There were born to ^Nlr. and Mrs. 
Brumback the following family who are now living : 
(i.) Orville Sanford, now a lawyer in Toledo, Ohio, and a 
leading business man in the city. He graduated at 




MINOR LA DOYT PURMORT, SON OF MINOR PURMORT. 




FIDELIA WATSON PURMORT. 



And in England 119 

Princeton College and Ann Arbor Law School. He is 
married and has two daughters. 

(2.) David LaDoyt, now a resident of Van Wert, Ohio, and 
president of the Van Wert National Bank. A success- 
ful banker and prominent in city affairs. He is married 
and has three sons. 

(3.) Estella, now Mrs. John Reed, Jr., of Van Wert, Ohio. 
They have two boys and one daughter. 

(4.) Sadie M., now Mrs. Ernest M. Antrim of Van Wert, 
Ohio. They have no family. 

104. Alinor LaDoyt Purmort born at Jay, N. Y., April 16, 
1834, died at Van Wert, Ohio, October 18, 1888. As a 
young man he prepared himself for mercantile life which 
he followed till late in life, when he devoted himself to 
general insurance business. He taug'ht school some as 
a young man, but preferred a business occupation. He 
was a man of medium height, quick and strong physically 
and always enjoyed manly sports. He possessed fine 
mental ability, active in temperament, somewhat nerv- 
ous, full of good cheer. He became an invalid and suf- 
fered severely for eight long years with locomotor 
ataxia of which he died October 18, 1888, at Van Wert, 
Ohio. In the judgment of a brother who knew him well 
he should have been a man of some literary profession. 
At one time in early manhood he felt called to the Gospel 
Ministry. He was a Christian man and member of the 
'SI. E. Church and would have made an eloquent and 
successful minister, but reverses in his father's financial 
affairs compelled him to active business pursuits and his 
life was devoted to the same. On April 16, i86r, at 
Casey, Illinois, he married Fidelia S. Watson, a school 



I20 The Purmorts in America 

teacher. She was born in Sunbury, Ohio, January 27, 
1841, and still lives at Van Wert. Their children: 

171. Frank Walworth born at Casey, Illinois, March 5, 1862. 

172. Sanford Watson born at Van Wert, October 13, 1863. 

173. Clyde Allen LaDoyt born at Van Wert, November 2, 
1865. 

174. Rosamond Wayland born at Van Wert, August 20, 1868, 
unmarried, a typewriter and clerk in her brother's in- 
surance office. Member of the Presbyterian Church. 

175. Charles Meredith born at Van Wert, March i, 1871. 
Pie lives with his mother at Van Wert, an insurance 
man and a success in his line. Member of the Prseby- 
terian Church. 

176. Ellen Glenndoline, born at Van Wert, June 4. 1873, 
unmarried. A register letter clerk in the Van Wert 
Postoffice. She graduated at the Van W^ert High School. 

109. Roxana Love Purmort born at Kempville, Canada, April 
7, 1843. Some three years after her father's death in 
1854, she returned to Canada to live with her mother's 
sister, Aunt Sarah Cottrell, where she remained from 
1857 to 1861. Returning to Casey, Illinois, she attend- 
ed Seminary at Marshall, Illinois, for a year, then moved 
with her relatives to Van Wert, Ohio, where she taught 
for several years in the Van Wert school. She married, 
November 29, 1864, Rev. J. W. Allen, the Presbyterian 
Minister at Van Wert and became an excellent pastor's 
wife. Rev. J. W. Allen, D. D., served very successfully 
several pastorates in Ohio, Illinois and Kansas City. 
Dr. Allen was born February i, 1837, of Scotch parents 
in Belmont county, Ohio. He was brought up on a farm 
near Wheeling, Virginia, and was early in life a member 




ROXIE L. PURMORT ALLEN. 




REV. J. W. ALLEN, D. D. 








.'i«.. 






GEO. L. KROH. 




SARAH A. PURMORT KROH. 



And in England 121 

of the United Presbyterian Church. He graduated at 
Washington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and 
at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, and was 
ordained as a minister of the Gospel of the Presbyterian 
Church in the U. S. A, He was chosen Synodical Su- 
perintendent of the Home Missions for Synod of Mis- 
souri, in which position he served the church faithfully 
for several years, making his home in St. Louis. He 
owned and published for several years a Presbyterian 
weekly paper called "The Mid-Continent." After this 
he was placed at the head of the Book Room of the 
Board of Publication in St. Louis. His death occurred 
March 12, 1899, at St. Louis, Missouri, caused by a 
•cancer of the stomach, greatly mourned by the church 
and his many friends. His widow has since made her 
home at St. Louis and Kansas City, still very active in 
church work. She w^as a charter member of the Pres- 
byterian Woman's Board of the Southwest and has been 
an officer in the board up to the present time and a life 
member of the same. She also belongs to the Daughters 
o^ the Revolution. They had no children of their own, 
b»it adopted a daughter, Florence by name, who has 
irirried Mr. Cliff E. Kroh, of Kansas City, Kan. 
i.io. S^^rah Ann Purmort born at Kempville, Canada. Febru- 
arv 25, 1845. After the death of her parents she made 
he- home with her eldest sister, Mrs. Brumback of Van 
W'^rt, Ohio. She taught school several terms in Van 
W(tTt county and town. On September 4, 1866, she was 
married to George L. Kroh, of Lima, Ohio, where she 
lived for several years. About 1870 they moved to Kan- 
sas Cit\", Missouri, but soon moved over to Knnsas Cit\-, 



T22 The Purmorts in America 

Kansas, where Mr. Kroh engag-ed in the nursery busi- 
ness. He succeeded well and built a beautiful home for 
himself and family. He died with kidney trouble, Janu- 
ary 4, 1893, leaving a large family to mourn his loss. 
There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kroh : 

1. Rosco Earl, now of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 
in music store. 

2. ClifiFord Eugene, now a real estate dealer in 
Kansas City, Kansas. 

3. Petlena S., the wife of F. E. Reed, a lawyer in 
Kansas City, Missouri. 

4. Omond Purmort, unmarried and lives with his 
mother .*n Kansas City, Kansas. 

5. Georgia Louisa, wife of Dr. H. M. Cornell of 
Edith, N?.nv Mexico. 

6. HerbtTt Allen, unmarried, of Oklahoma City, 
music salesman. 

III. Charles Hiram Purmort born at Kempville. Canada, 
March 22, 18^17. Came to Berlin, Delaware county, 
Ohio, when but three months old. After the death of his 
father, and when seven years old, lie found a home with 
his oldest sister, Mrs. Brumback, for five years. He 
attended school some in Van Wert but began work in 
a store when 15 years of age. On February, i865r he 
enlisted as a drummer in the 191st Ohio Infantry for 
one year or during the war. His regiment was sent to 
the Shenandoah Valley and was under the command of 
General Hancock. He served till September when the 
war being ended the regiment was discharged. He 
attended college at Otterbein Universit}-. Westervillc, 
Ohio, for two years. In September, 1871, he entered 




ROSAMOND WAYLAND PURMORT. 




ELLEN G. PURMORT. 




CHARLES M. PURMORT, SON OF MINOR LA DOYT PUR.MORT. 







REV. C. H. PURMORT, D. D. 




MARY E. ELLIOTT PURMORT. 



And in England 123 

college at Wooster University, Wooster, Ohio, and grad- 
uated in 1875. He took his theological course of three 
years at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, 
graduating 1878. He was licensed to preach the Gospel 
by the New York Presbytery May 4, 1878. He preached 
for ten months on his first charge at Pataskala. Ohio. 
He was ordained and installed as pastor May 4, 1879 
over tlie Presbyterian Church at Geneseo, Illinois. In 
the spring of 1882 he moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, 
where he spent three years as a Home Missionary in the 
New Territory. Also two years more at Canton, South 
Dakota. In March, 1887, he accepted a call from the 
First Presbyterian Church at Waterloo, Iowa, where 
he served till June, 1899. He was then chosen as the 
Synodical Superintendent of Home Missions for the 
State of Iowa, which position he has filled, up to the 
present time, January, 1907. Leaving Waterloo, 1900, 
he lived for five years at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the 
benefit of Coe College for his children. In May, 1905, 
he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he still lives. In 
September, 1899, he received the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity from his Alma Mater, Wooster University. 
On May 4, 1880, he was married at Rye, New York, to 
Mary Etta Elliott of Pataskala, Ohio. She was born 
at Etna, Ohio, August 18, 1858. Her father was Charles 
H. Elliott, born at Boscowen, New Hampshire, and 
her mother was Jane Baird Eliott. The Elliott pedigree : 
I. Edmond Elliott, a native of England, came to 
Salisbury, Essex county, Mass., in or before 1654. 
Married Sarah, daughter of Jaret Pladden of Salis- 
bury, a farmer there 1658. His son : 



124 The Purmorts in America 

2. John Elliott born in Salisbury April 25, 1660, 

died Feb. 27, 1732-3. Married Naomi . His 

son: 

3. Edward Elliott born in Amesbury, Essex coun- 
ty, Mass., July 30, 1686, married by Rev. Thos. 
Wells, of Amesbury, Deborah Huntington, Janu- 
ary 8, 1712. His son: 

4. Edmond Elliott born in Amesbury November 
28, 1 7 16. Removed to Chester, N. H.. about 1746. 
Died there about 1789. Married Mehitabel, daugh- 
ter of Ezekiel Worthen of Kensington, N. H., who 
died at Chester April 14, 1806. His son: 

5. Jonathan Elliott born at Chester, N. H., Decem- 
ber 8, 1748. Removed to Pembroke, N. H.. where 
he died in 1819. Married Mary Conner, who died 
April 1822. His son : 

6. Samuel Elliott born at Pembroke, N. H., March 
14, 1777. Removed to Louden 1804. Married 
Judith, daughter of Maj. Moses and Rebecca Ab- 
bott Chamberlain, June 15, 1806. Removed to Bos- 
cawen August 26, 1818. Judith, his wife, was born 
at Louden, Tuesday, April 20, 1785. His son : 

7. Charles Henry Elliott born May 17, 1826. He 
moved to Columbus, Ohio, 1843. Married Septem- 
ber 13, 1852, Jane Baird, of Pataskala, Ohio. Their 
daughter, Mary Etta, who married C. H. Purmort. 

The family of C. H. Purmort and wife : 
177. Perlena Virgilia born in Geneseo, Illinois, June 6, 1881, 
having attended the Waterloo High School until fifteen 
years old she went to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, for 
three years. She then attended Coe College at Cedar 




CRETE 
CLAIRE 



C. H. PURMORT'S FAMILY. 
DOYT 



VIRGILTA 
ELLIOTT 



And in England 125 

Rapids, Iowa, three years. Then took a two years' 
course in Domestic Science at the Iowa State College 
at Ames, graduating in June, 1904. She taught domestic 
science for one year in the Michigan State College at 
Lansing. She then took a post course in her line of 
one year at Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, getting her 
degree June, 1906. She is now teaching in the Industrial 
Department of the public schools at Tacoma, Washington 
1/8. Julia Crete, born at Pataskala. Ohio, September 9, 1883. 
She graduated in the High Schools of Waterloo, Iowa, 
June, 1900. She took a Classical Course in Coe College, 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, making Latin her major, graduating 
June, 1905. She accepted a position in the High School 
at Centerville, Iowa, as Latin Teacher and is now in • 
her second year there. 

179. Margery Jane born at Canton, South Dakota, August 
23, 1886, died at Waterloo, Iowa, ^lay 4, 1888. 

180. Minor LaDovt born at Waterloo. Iowa, January 13, 1889. c^ 'p-^ ^^-- 

181. Etta Claire born at Waterloo, Iowa, February i, 1892. / 

182. Charles Elliott born at Waterloo, Iowa, November 24, 
1894. 

114. Conant Sawyer Purmort born at Jay, Xew York. April 
7, 1835, f^i*^*^^ =^t Boulder, Colorado, September 25, 1897. 
His parents died when he was quite young. He made 
his home with his Uncle Minor Purmort for several 
years. About the year i860 he started from Casey. Illi- 
nois, for the West and his relatives not hearing" from 
him for many years supposed he was dead. During all 
this time he was at work in the silver mines in Colorado. 
He married Martha Elizabeth Davidson of Carlisle. Illi- 
nois. She was born September 9. 1838. Conant wns a 



T26 The Purmorts in America 

steady young man of good habits and was a hard work- 
ing man. Their family : 

183. Flora Bell born in Illinois. November 12, i860, unmar- 
ried and now lives in Boulder, a dress maker, at which 
she is very proficient and by means of her needle she 
most generously aids in the support of others depending 
upon her. 

184. Joseph IMousean born in Central City. Colo.. October 3, 
1863. 

185. James Wayland born in Central City. Colo.. October 
2. 1865. 

186. Charles LaDoyt born in Central City. Colo.. June ii, 
1871. 

115. Disa Purmort only child of Joseph Purmort No. 52. 
She was born February 22. 1834. She married Charles 
Horton of Enfield, and still lives there. They have five 
children whose names have not come to the writer. 

116. Lewis Berry Purmort. son of Nathaniel Purmort No. 55, 
born at Enfield. New Hampshire. November 2. 1835. 
He received an academy and college education. He 
made teaching his profession for many years and taught 
in an early day in Wisconsin. Later in life he became a 
Baptist Minister and supplied churches in and near 
Boston where he died October 28. 1905. On December 
31. 1858, he married Frances Willard. She was born 
at \'^ictoria, New York. November 5. 1838. She was a 
daughter of Rev. William and Hulda A. Benedict Will- 
ard. She received an academic education and in early 
life was a school teacher. She was brought up in the 
M. E. Church. She has aided greatly the Author of 
this trenealoe-v and mention is now mode of it with due 




REV. L. n. PURMORT. 





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FRANCES WIIJ.ARH FIRMORT. 



And in England 127 

acknowledgment and appreciation. One who made her 
home for several years with Mrs. Purmort, writes re- 
garding her: "One of the finest Christian characters, 
loved by all who knew her. She was greatly interested 
in the family tree and often talked with me about it. 
We together visited the tablet of Philemon Purmort in 
King's Chapel Cemetery." 

Obituary 

"Rev. L. B. Purmort passed away at his home at 
554 Massachusetts avenue, Boston, October 28th, after 
a long illness of twenty-one weeks. A teacher for many 
years and preacher for ten years, his life has been one of 
usefulness and benificence. He will be missed by a large 
circle of friends. Mrs. Purmort survives him, also his 
son, Lewis A. Purmort, and one daughter, wife of F. W. 
Philbrick. Mr. Purmort was taken to Enfield for burial. 
The town where he was born sixty-eight years ago." 

Another newspaper mention was made of his death 
as follows : 

Rev. L. B. Purmort 

"Mr. Purmort passed away October 28th, at his 
home. 554 Massachusetts avenue, Boston. He was a 
very successful teacher for thirty-five years in western 
cities, also in New Hampshire and Vermont, where he 
drew about him many friends among the citizens, as well 
as among his pupils. Indeed his ministry began then 
to the tried and saddened. A lady says : T can never 



128 The Purmorts in America 

forget his devotion to us, when our Httle son was 
drowned, so helpful, so comforting" and so kind." For 
the last ten years Mr. Purmort has been in the gospel 
ministry ; his whole heart has been in his work. When 
he was stricken with paralysis last June while in his 
parish at Dunbarton, N. H., he said many times, 'Can 
this be the end? Must I give up my work?' In all his 
moments of consciousness, his trustful words of pra\er 
revealed to his faithful wife, who was ever at his side, 
the fact of his realization that the end was near. 'Yes, 
Jesus, I am ready,' he uttered with many a short sentence 
prayer for himself and for others. Many are the tes- 
timonies, from near and from far, of his words of cheer 
to the sorrowing ones and efforts to lead theiu closer 
to God. 

"The funeral was on Monday, conducted by Rev. 
Dr. Blake. Burial was at Enfield, N. H., where he was 
born sixty-eight years ago. Mr. Purmort leaves his 
wife, one son, Lewis A. Purmort, and one daughter, 
Mrs. F. W. Philbrick." 

Their children : 

187. Lewis Adnah born at ]\Iaryville, A\'isconsin, January 
4, 1861. 

188. Zulu May, born at Omro, Wisconsin, December 14, 1863. 

118. Abigal S. Purmort born June 3. 1837. married W. 
Harris of ^^'insted. Connecticut. No offspring. A 
widow for many years. 

119. Almira H. Purmort born November 10, 1841, died Feb- 
ruary 3, 187T. She married May i. 1866, Edwin E. 
Foster of Enfield. They lost their only child in infancy. 

120. Mark H. Purmort born August 30, 1851, died April 




FRED M. PURMORT. 



And in England 129 

18, 1878. He married, 1875. Cora Norris. Their 
Children : 

189. A son whose name is Guy. No further record of him. 

122. Mary Adelaide Purmort, daughter of Mark Purmort 
No. 57, was born December 8, 1847, clied at Enfield 
Center, June 6, 1901. She received a good common 
school education. Married November 24, 1871, Frank 
F. Waite of Boston, Mass. She has no family. 

123. Charles Warren Purmort, son of Mark Purmort No. 
$y, was born at Enfield, October 22, 1849. Educated in 
the common schools. He is a clerk and accountant. 
Married January 2. 1871, at New London, N. H., Susan 
Emeline Gage of Sutton, N. H. She was born at En- 
field December 13. 1847. Member of the Universalist 
Church. They now live in New Haven, Connecticut. 
He Ts clerk and accountant in the New York, New Haven 
and Hartford Railway Depot, and now resides at 156 
Whalley avenue. Their children : 

190. Frank Warren born at Enfield, N. H., April 17, 1872, 
died at Huntsville, Alabama, October 17, 1898. 

191. Herbert Charles born September 2. 1874, at Sutton, 
N. H. 

192. George Converse born January 10, 1876. died May, t88o. 

193. Mabel Maltiah born October 31, 1878. Married Janu- 
ary 27, 1898, Frank Atwood. Their children : Gage 
born July 30, 1902, died August 11, 1902; Warren 
Sherman born June 14, 1906. 

T24. Henrietta Frances Purmort born March 28, 1852, at 
Enfield Center, N. H. She received a common school 
education. On October i, 1885, she married Horace R. 
Batchelder of Franklin. N. H., an electrician. Their 



130 The Purmorts in America 

children: Maud born at East Andover, July 2"], 1886; 
Horace born February 28, 1894. This family now live 
at East Sommerville, Massachusetts. 
125. Ida Martha Purmort born October 18, 1855 at Enfield 
Center, N. H., a graduate of State Normal, a cashier 
and bookkeeper in the dry goods store of David E. 
Murph}-, Concord, N. H. Member of Baptist Church 
and now lives in Concord, N. H. 
127. Fred M. Purmort, son of Mark Purmort No. 57, was 
born July 14, 1859, at Enfield Center, N. H , where he 
received his education in the common school. He now 
lives in Boston and the following is copied fiom a Bos- 
ton paper: 

"For the past seven years Mr. Fred ]\I. Purmort 
has been the head clerk at the Parker House in this 
city. While he has been a faithful employe of the 
house, he has made hosts of friends among the 
public. Mr. Whipple, recognizing this fact, has 
promoted him, and Wednesday he was given super- 
vision of the front of the house. Mr. Purmort, 
when he first came to this city, accepted a position 
at the Ouincy House. From there he went to tlie 
Parker House as night clerk for the late Mr. Har- 
vey D. Parker. When the Adams House was 
opened, he went there, remaining there until Mr. 
Whipple took the Parker House in 1890. He has 
been in Mr. Whillpe's employ for fifteen years. Mr. 
Purmort is a member of the Boston Athletic Club 
and of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- 
pany. He was a member of the contingent of that 
organization that visited London in 1896." 




MINOR T. PURMORT. 




MRS. MINOR T. PURMORT. 




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And in England 131 

He is still unmarried. 

129. Polly M. Purmort, daughter of John Purmort No. 58, 
was born December 15, 1828, died November 3, i860. 
She married Simon Horton of Enfield N. H. They have 
three children whose names have not been learned. 

130. Sarah F. Purmort born June 12, 1831. Married Nathan 
Goodrich and moved to Wisconsin. They had five chil- 
dren whose names are not known. 

132. Martin Van Buren Purmort born November 2, 1842. 
Married first wife November, 1862, Mary A. Sarg-ent. 
Married second wife, Mary F. Bean of Plainfield, N. H. 
They now live in Lebanon. No family reported. 

133. Nathaniel Purmort, son of Hiram Purmort No. 59, was 
born March 9, 1834, died March 28, 1864. No wife 
and family reported. 

134. Minor T. Purmort, son of Hiram Purmort No. 59, was 
born June 27, 1836, died May 26, 1901. He 
operated a large farm at Lebanon, New Hampshire, 
and was a very prominent citizen and highly respected. 
A man of large means and of good influence. Very 
successful in business, genial and kind hearted in home 
and community. On December 24, 1873, he married 
Hannah C. Day of Enfield. She was born November 
16, 1829, died May 16, 1904. They had no family. 
"Hannah C. Purmort, whose death occurred May 16, was 
born in Enfield November 16, 1829. She was a resident 
of Enfield most of her life, being the daughter of David 
Day and Harriet Flanders Day. She married Minor T. 
Purmort, whose death occurred a few years since. One 
brother survives her, Orson Day. Funeral services were 
held at her home at Riverdale, Wednesday, May 18, ihc 



132 The Purmorts in America 

Rev. Joseph Simpson officiating. Interment in Oakdale 
Cemetery, Enfield." 

136. Ellen M. Purmort, daughter of Joseph Hazen Purmort 
No. 62, was born June 28, 1845. She was married De- 
cember 14, 1865 to Henry B. Hough and they now live 
at Lebanon. A farmer. Their family is given as follows : 

1. Mary Elizabeth born July 23, 1868. 

2. Arthur B. born November i, 1871. 

3. Jean W. born July 26, 1875. 

4. Hazen P. born May 8, 1878. 

5. Christine born May 13, 1886. 

137. Osgood L. Purmort, son of Joseph Hazen Purmort No. 
62, was born Nov. 23, 1850. He was educated at Kimball 
Union Academy at Meridan, New Hampshire, also 
Calby Academy, New London, New Hampshire. He 
settled down on the old home farm at Lebanon early in 
life where he has lived a quiet happy life as a successful 
farmer up to the present time, 1907. On January i, 
1879, l""^ ^'^s married to Jennie E. Gile of Lebanon. 
Their children : 

194. Hazel Marion born April 16, 1883, at Lebanon. N. H. 
She graduated at Boston University June 6, 1906. 

139. Racine Purmort, son of Hymen F. Pumiort No. 63, was 
born x\ugust 30, 183 1, at DePeyster, N. Y. Pie died 
January 10, 1884, at Saginaw, Alichigan, where he had 
lived many years. On november 14, 1861, he married 
Mary Ripley, who was born March 5, 1841. Their 
children : 

195. Frances Lillian born August 20, 1863. 

196. Herman B. born October 22, 1864. 

197. Belle born November 5, 1866. 




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And in England 133 

198. Mae born January 28, 1871. 

199. William R. born September 18, 1876. 

200. Ethel born August 18, 1879. 

201. Arthur born March 8, 1881. 

202. Genevieve born July 28, 1883. This family now live at 
Saginaw, Michigan. 

140. Sarah lone Purmort born . On January 24, 1854, 

she married William A. Williams. Their children : 

1. Laura Hastings. 

2. lomra. 

3. Cora Irene. 

4. Helen. 

5. Francis. 

141. Joseph C. Purmort. son of Christopher L. D. Purmort 
No. 80. was born in Georgia Vermont, i860. In 1887 
he married Mary Sullivan. He is a mechanic and now 
lives in Chicago, Illinois. They have no family. 

T42. Lottie M. Purmort, daughter of Joseph Y. Purmort No. 
81. She was born February 26, 1855. December 11, 
1878, she married C. H. Wood of Milton, Vermont, 
Their children : 

1. Clara I. born December 3, 1879. 

2. Ruth L. bom February 11, i88t. 

3. Frances E. born September 26, 1882. 

4. J. Purmort born June 22. 1884. 

5. Florence L. born June 21. 1886. died June 16, 
1887. 

6. Henry L. born June 29, 1889. 

7. Maurice H. born February 20, 1894. 

8. Leland C. born February 21, 1896. 

146. John E. Purmort, son of Abner D. (2) Purmort No. 83, 



134 ■ The Purmorts in America 

was born November i8, 1856, Hennepin county INIinne- 
sota. Married Nov. 6, 1885, Louisa Giddings. She was 
born September 25, 1863. He is now a farmer living 
near Anoka, Minn. Address, Cedar Minn. Their 
family : 

203. Ellen born June 16, 1888. 

204. A Ruth born January 22, 1890. 

205. Hattie L. born May 8, 1892, died . 

206. Reith born February 18, 1895. 

207. Louisa born November, i, 1897. 

208. Lucy May born June 19, 1899. 

209. John Reed born August 15, 1901. 

210. Doritha born July 18, 1904. 

147. Abner A. Purmort born June i, 1868, at Anoka, Henne- 
pin County, Minnesota. He is a farmer at Anoka, 
Minnesota. Married November 25, 1901, Jessie Holden, 
born at A'lanchester, England, November 6, 1875. She 
came to America 1896. 

148. Mark E. Purmort born January 12, 1874, at Anoka, 
^Minnesota. He was in the 14th Minnesota Co, B., sta- 
tioned at Chicamaugua, Georgia. Brought home sick 
with the amiy fever. Now a lumber scaler for tiie 
state at Anoka. On July 22, 1903, he married Helen 
Marion Gillis. She was born at Bucyrus, Ohio. They 
have no children. They now live at St. Paul, Minn. 

149. Govenor W. Purmort born at Anoka, Minnesota, March 
28, 1877. A painter, unmarried. Now lives in St. 
Paul, Minnesota. 

150. Ada L. Purmort, first daughter of Abner D. (2) Pur- 
mort No. 83, was born at Anoka, Minnesota. She was 
married March 27, 1878, to Frank Hart and now lives 







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MARTIN V. B. PURMORT. 



And in England 135 

« 

at Anoka, Minnesota. Their children : 
Irvine E. born March 22, 1882. 
Una May born December 17, 1886. 

151. Kate M. Purmort, second daughter of Abner D. (2), 
married H, A. Shrocks December 31, 1884. Their chil- 
dren : Walter B. born November 11, 1885; Lucie E. 
born December 5, 1887; Rollin A. born December 10, 
1894. 

152. Lucia E. Punnort, third daughter of Abner D. (2), 
was married to Frank E. Randall July 26, 1888. No 
children mentioned. 

Ninth Generation of Purmorts in America 

155. Wales Ely Purmort, son of Ely Stone Purmort No. Sj. 
son of John (5), heads the list of Purmorts of the Nintli 
generation in America. He was born in 1849, at Jay, 
New York. He died January i, 1903, at Sheridan, 
Wyoming. The following obituary is copied from a 
Wyoming paper: 

To the Memory of Wales E. Purmort 

''The death of Wales E. Purmort marks the pass- 
ing away of one old-timer in the West. He was born in 
Essex county, New York, fifty-four years ago, and 
after attaining a thorough education he identified him- 
self with the well-known firm of Phelps, Dodge & Pal- 
mer. He remained with the firm for eighteen years, 
holding many important positions in Boston and other 
large cities, but being most of his time in Qiicago. In 



1^6 The Purmorts ix America 



'O 



1880 he married Miss Mary Buckley. His married life 
was of but short d .tion, as the couple joined their 
lives in December and death parted the tie in the month 
of January following. 

"The restless spirit of Mr. Purmort prompted him 
to sever his connections with the firm, and he joined 
his brother, Mr. George Purmort, who at that time was 
located in the Black Hills country. Here he remained 
until after the arrival of the Burlington into Sheridan, 
when he settled here and cast his lot with our people, 
until the grim destroyer cut the thread of life. 

"His reputation for honesty and liberality has never 
been assailed, and many a poor fellow has cause to thank 
his memor}' for favors extended by him during his 
lifetime. 

"He died at the ranch of D. T. Hillman, on Janu- 
ary 1st, and was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery on Mon- 
day. He leaves besides a host of friends a brother, 
George Purmort, who is an ex-mayor of our city and 
is now interested in a successful mining company opera- 
ting in the Judith mountains and the belt rage. A 
Friend.'" 
156. George Henry Purmort, son of Ely Stone Purmort No. 
87, was born at Jay, New York, 1851. He was a mining 
engineer for several years and was engaged with an 
English syndicate in gold mining in Wyoming. He 
lived for a time in Omaha, Nebraska, where he engaged 
in business. He married first wife, Helen Gertrude 
Benns, at Plattsburg, N. Y., June 22, 1872. She died at 
Sheridan, Wyoming, October, 1897. The following 
obituary was published in a W}oming paper : 



Kia 




GEO. H. PURMORT, SON OF ELY STONE PURMORT. 




GEO. ELY PURMORT. 



And in England 137 

"Died — On Saturday, October 16. 1897, at her home 
in this city, of pneumonia, Helen G. Purmort, beloved 
wife of George H. Purmort, in the forty-fith year of her 
age. 

"Perhaps no death has ever occurred in this city in 
which the circumstances connected therewith were more 
pathetic and sad than those surrounding the demise of 
the deceased. Never particularly robust, no unusual 
anxiety as to her health was felt by her husband when 
she kissed him good bye and bade him Godspeed on a 
business trip to England a few short weeks ago. Yet 
it was ordained by a divine Providence that they should 
never see each other again on earth. Today the husband 
and father is absent in a strange land, utterly uncon- 
scious of the great and irreparable loss which he has 
sustained, and it will soon be the unpleasant and sad 
duty of friends to acquaint him with the heart breaking 
news. May God in His great wisdom endow him with 
strength to bear the loss with fortitude. 'The Lord 
giveth and the Lord taketh away.' 

"The deceased was born at Blackbrook, N. Y., but 
her early life was spent in Burlington, Vermont. She 
was married to George H. Purmort in 1871. at Platts- 
burg. N. Y., and went to Boston to reside. Slie and her 
husband have since resided in several cities, both east 
and west, and came to Sheridan about four vears ago. 
During her residence in this cit}- she has been actively 
connected with Congregational Church matters, being 
president of the Junior Endeavor and treasurer of the 
Ladies' Circle. She was also an honored and respected 
member of Naomi Chapter No. 2. order of the Eastern 



138 The Purmorts in America 



Star. She was always one of the most faithful and 
willing workers in the various societies with which she 
was connected, and whatever was allotted to her she did 
with all her might. By her death her husband has lost 
a loving and faithful wife, her son an affectionate and 
considerate mother, the church a true and Christian 
member and the community in general a friend." 
The children of George Henry Purmort : 

211. ^Mabcl Gertrude born April 17, 1873. at P)Oston, Mass. 

212. Mary Ann born September 9, 1874, at Minneapolis, 
Minnesota. 

213. Helen Mav l)orn December 16. 1884, died at ii years 
of age. 

214. George Ely born December 20, 1890. at Spearfish, S. D. 

George H. married second wife, Fannie P>enns Tur- 
ner, t8oo, and the}- now, 1907, live at Salida, Colo. 
Their children : 

215. Max Wales born March 9, 1900, at Lewiston, Montana. 

158. William N. Purmort, son of William Wallace Purmort 
No. 91, was born in Memphis, Missouri, January 2, 1859. 
He graduated at Lagrange College, Missouri, 1882. He 
is a grain buyer at Enid, Oklahoma, and now lives at 
Enid. Oklahoma. On November 25, 1887, he married 
Anna Wagner. She died November 23. 1889. Their 
family : 

2t6. Wallace Eevi born September 20, 1889, died July 31, 
1890. 

159. \A'allacc O. Purmort born at Memphis, Missouri, Feb- 
ruary 9, 1861. Attended college at Lebanon, Ohio, and 
Lagrange. Missouri. May 5, 1886, he married Adda 
P. Sigler of Memphis, Missouri. She was born 1866. 




MRS. GEO. H. PURMORT AND SON. MAX. 




MAT H. PURMORT JAMES C. PURMORT MARY H. PURMORT 




BELLE 
GENEVIEVE 



RACIXE PURMORTS DAUGHTERS. 
FRANCES 



MAE 
ETHEL 



And in England 139 

He is a merchant and member of the Baptist Church, 
In January, 1898, moved with family to Enid, Oklahoma. 
Their children : 

217. ]\Iary Alene born August 11, 1891. 

218. Helen born June 11, 1896. 

163. James Clark Purmort born Memphis, Missouri, Septem- 
ber 30, 1873. Unmarried. A teacher. He graduated at 
Memphis High School, spent one year at William Jew- 
ell College, a member of the Baptist Church. 

164. Nathaniel H. Purmort born at Memphis, Missouri, Oc- 
tober 9. 1875, unmarried. Educated at Memphis High 
School and Normal. A United States railway mail 
clerk, and now lives in St. Louis, Missouri. 

165. Gearge H. Purmort, son of Lucius A Purmort No. 98, 
was born March 15, 1875. He elected to remain at 
home with his parents and is a devoted son. A very 
successful business man and an honored citizen of the 
town of Newport, N. H. He is unmarried. 

166. Jennie G. Purmort born April 6, 1876. She graduated 
at the Newport, N. H., High School, then taught for a 
time, but abandoned this field to study medicine. She 
graduated from Boston University Medical School in 
190 1, spent the following eighteen months in Memorial 
Hospital for Women and Children, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
She then accepted a position on the staff of the State 
Hospital, Fergus Falls, Minn. She resigned this posi- 
tion November i, 1906, to take up general practice at 
130 Halsey street, Brooklyn, N. Y., where she still lives. 
She is unmarried. She is the only physician in the 
Purmort family discovered up to date. Dr. Hanson 
well said : "The cominsf man is a woman." 



140 The Purmorts in America 

167. Gviy W. Purmort born December 13, 1883. He gradu- 
ated from the Public High School 1902. Shortly after 
this he entered the employ of the State Bank, 376-8 
Grand St., New York City, and is a trusted and pro- 
gressive employe of this institution. Unmarried. 

168. Harry R. Purmort born June 8, 1885. At home with 
his parents. A boy of promise and rare sweetness of 
disposition. To him has been given a life of suffering, 
and ambition hampered by physical infirmity. Though 
for six years unable to step without crutches and often 
a great sufferer, his ready wit, unvarying cheerfulness 
and consideration for others, have made him the sun- 
shine of the home. 

169. Christine E. Purmort born September 29, 1889. She is 
still at home, a third year student in the Richards High 
School. A bright, energetic girl, prominently identified 
with the work and organizations of the student body. 

171. Frank Walworth Purmort, son of Minor LaDoyt Pur- 
mort No. 104, was born at Casey, Illinois, March 5, 
1862. In the summer of 1862 came with his parent to 
Van Wert, Ohio, where he has made his home up to 
date, 1907. He was educated in Van Wert schools. The 
care of his invalid father for eight years kept Frank 
from college. He took up insurance as a business and 
profession and is now prominent as an insurance man in 
Ohio and adjoining states, being secretary and manager 
of the Central Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany located at Van Wert, Ohio. On June 6, 1894, at 
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he married Helen Pauline Oilman. 
She was born January 25, 1870, at Eau Claire, Wiscon- 




FRANK W. PURMORT. 




FRANCIS 



LA DOYT 



GEORGE 




CLYDE A. L. PURMORT AND CHILDREX. 



1 








1 


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THE VAN WERT, OHIO, PURMORT BOYS, WHEN THEY WERE IN THE 

MARKET. 



And in England 141 

sin. Both Frank W. and his wife are active members 
of the M. E. Church. Their Children : M- cU^eLVS^C^P^-^ ■ 
119. La Doyt Oilman born at Van Wert, Ohio, September 
2, 1895. 

220. Francis Walworth born February 20, 1899. 

221. George Lawrence born March 6, 1902. 

172. Sanford Watson Purmort born at Van Wert, Ohio, 
October 13, 1863. An insurance man. Married at Van 
Wert, Ohio, Florence Hott, and now lives at Van Wert. 
Their children : 

222. Sanford Walworth born September 28, 1905, died at 
Van Wert, Ohio, Thursday, February 7, 1907. 

173. Clyde Allen LaDoyt Purmort born at Van Wert, Oliio, 
November 2, 1865, graduated at Van Wert High School. 
Postmaster at Van Wert, 1898 to 1906. Now engaged 
in insurance business. October 19, 1892, married Bertha 
Marie Gleason of Van Wert. She was born March 15, 
1871. Members of Presbyterian Church. Their children : 

223. Louise Elvira born August 27, 1893, died March 25. 
1899. 

224. Fidelia Marie born August 5, 1895. 

225. Grace Wayland born November 10, 1899. 

226. Paul Walworth born December 26, 1902. 

175. Charles Meredith Purmort born in Van Wert, Ohio, 
March i, 1873, graduated at Van W^ert High School. 
Member of Presbyterian Church. An active and suc- 
cessful general insurance man. Unmarried. 

184. Joseph Mouseam Purmort, son of Conant Sawyer Pur- 
mort, born in Central City, Colorado, October 3, 1863. 
Has worked in silver mines. August, 1892, married 
Bessie Turner of Boulder, Colo. No familv. 



^4- The Purmorts in America 

185. James Wayland Purmort born in Central City, Colo., 
October 2, 1865. He was killed by a mine explosion 
near Boulder April 3, 1896. He was married in Novem- 
ber, 1888, to Alice Forman. Their children : 

227. Tola Wayland born September 16, 1888, died at Allena, 
Colorado. 

228. Pearl Mildred born July 23, 1891, at Boulder, Colorado. 

229. Lourome E. born at Ward, Colorado, March 21, 1894, 
died at Alma, August 20, 1896. 

230. Conant Sawyer born February 9. 1896. at Ward Colo. 

186. Charles La Doyt Purmort born in Central City, Colo., 
June II, 1871. Married at Boulder, Colo., December 
5, 1892, Olive Beryl Carr. On April 3, 1896, he and his 
brother, James W., were blown up by a mine explosion. 
His brother was instantly killed and Charles LaDoyt 
was so severely injured in his eyes that he was left 
totally blind for life. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. 
Speaking of him as a Christian one has said : "It is this 
faith that makes him so patient and cheerful under his 
great affliction ; yet with it all he has much to be thankful 
for ; a loving faithful wife whose every thought is for 
him, and their children ; and his three little ones almost 
adore him. He also has the happy faculty of doing a 
great many things to help himself and others, even 
though he is blind." Their children : 

231. Everett LaDoyt born at Boulder, October 15, 1894. 

232. Eunice Beryl born March 25, 1897. 

233. Anna Bell born November 16, 1899. 

187. Lewis Adnah Purmort, son of Lewis Berry Purmort No. 
116, was born at Mayville, Wisconsin, January 4, 1861. 
A commercial salesman. Married February 3, 1887. 




CHARLES LA DOYT PURMORT, SON OF CONANT S. PURMORT. 




L. A. PURMORT, SON OF LEWIS B. PURMORT. 



And in England 143 

Ellen E. Spalding of Onechee, Vermont. She was born 
at Plainfield, N. H. A member of the M. E. Church. 
No family reported. "The twentieth anniversary of Mr. 
and Mrs. Lewis A. Purmort was largely attended at 
their fashionable home on Massachusetts avenue in Bos- 
ton. Mrs. Purmort was formerly Miss Ellen Elizabeth 
Spalding of Quechee. Scores of presents were received, 
and over one hundred Bay Staters called and extended 
congratulations. Mr. Purmort is a well known travel- 
ing man among the Vermont and New Hampshire flour 
handlers." 
18S. Zulu Mae Purmort born at Omro, Wisconsin, December 
14, 1863. She married Frank W. Philbrick of Hanover, 
Vermont. They now live in Boston. Their children: 
Bernice Lock wood born October 15, 1890. 

189. Gu}-, a son of Mark H. Purmort No. 120. His family 
not reported to the writer. 

190. Frank Warren Purmort, son of Charles Warren Pur- 
mort No. 123. He enlisted in the nth U. S. Inft. in 
1893. Was transferred at his request to Troop G. 7th 
Calv. in 1895. Stationed at Fort Apache, Arizona. Re- 
enlisted at Omaha, Neb., in October, 1898. Appointed 
corporal of Troop G. October 16, 1898. He was mur- 
dered October 17, 1898, presumably by members of his 
troop at Huntsville, Alabama, while enroute to Cuba. 

191. Herbert Charles Purmort born September 2, 1874. He 
married June 17, 1899, Miss Emma H. Ryan. Their 
children. 

234. Howard Francis born June i, 1900. 

235. Lilian Gage born November 5, 1902. 

236. Charles Edward born December 23, 1905. 



144 The Purmorts in America 

195. Francis Lillian Purmort, daughter of Racine Purmort, 
No. 139. She was born August 20, 1863. No farther 
record given. 

196. Herman B. Purmort, son of Racine Purmort No. 139. 
He was born October 22. 1864. A letter carrier at Sag- 
inaw, Michigan. Married 1894 Lizzie George. Their 
children : 

2t;j. Louisa born at Saginaw, Michigan, April, 1895. 

197. Belle Purmort born November 5, 1866, on July 3, 1890, 
married George Hemple. He is a professor at Ann 
Arbor, ^Michigan. The irchildren : 

Hilda born August 5, 1891. 
Elsa born October, 1892. 
197. Mae Purmort born January 28, 1871. On October 14, 
1896, married Will McBratin. No family reported. 

199. William R. Purmort born September 18, 1876. No 
other record secured. 

200. Ethel Purmort born August 18. 1879. -^'0 other record. 

201. Arthur Purmort born March 8, 1881. No other record. 

202. Gcneveve Purmort born July 28, 1883. No other record. 

In 1898 all this family lived at Saginaw, Michigan, 
but no word has come from them at this date, 
January, 1907. 

Tenth Generation of Purmorts in America 

210. ^label Gertrude Purmort, daughter of George Henry 
Purmort No. 156, who was son of Ely Stone Purmort 
No. 87, who was son of John (4) Purmort No. 31, who 
was son of John (3) Purmort No. 21, who was son of 
John (2) Purmort No. 12. who was son of John (i) 





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MABLE G. PUMORT BROWX AND SON, HERBERT MADISON BROWN. 



And in England 145 

Purmort No. 11, who was son of Joseph Purmort No. 10, 
who was son of Lazarus Purmort No. 3, who was son 
of Philemon, who came from Alford, England to 
Boston, 1634. 

This Mabel Gertrude Purmort was born April 17, 
1873. She was married November 30, 1892, to Rev. 
J. M. Brown. He was born in Mishawaka, Ind., March 
14, 1873, a Congregational minister, who was pastor for 
a time of the Congregational Church at New Richmond. 
Wisconsin, and later of Butte, Neb., where he died of 
heart failure September 18, 1905, age 32 years. Their 
children : 

Herbert Madison born December 10, 1893. 
A son in the Tenth Generation. 
This is the only one of the Purmort stock of whom the 
writer has knowledge that belongs to the Tenth Generation. Al- 
though this child is not a Purmort by name, yet he is of the blood 
and gives us the right to say, "Ten Generations of Punnorts in 
America." 

As this boy has had for these past generations good New 
York, Vermont and New Hampshire Baptist forebearers, and as 
he was born a child of a New England Congregationalist Divine, 
the Author now ventures to hope, he may some day develop from 
this rich religious inheritance, into a good Western Presbvierian 
preacher. 

It is regretted exceedingly that so many of the now living 
members of the family are so indifferent or careless to the matter 
of a complete record that they do not respond to kind invitations 
to furnish information regarding themselves and their families. 
The Author is not responsible for this incomplete record in con- 
nection with living families as he has requested returns over and 



146 The Purmorts in America 

over again, but in vain. 

As these records have been unearthed from old family Bibles 
and from the dim memories of the old grandparents, and as they 
have been chronicled in the brief space of a line or a page, the 
writer has thought regarding their past and spent lives, many of 
whom were quite long and very active and prominent in their 
day, that human life is surely a "breath," a "span," and "we spend 
our years as a tale that is told." 

The favorite poem of Abraham Lincoln comes unbidden to 
memory, "O, Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud" : 

By William Knox 

Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be protid? 
Like a swift-fleeting metior, a fast flying cloud, 
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, 
Man passeth from life to his rest in the grave. 

The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade, 
Be scattered around, and together be laid; 
And the young and the old, and the low and the high 
Shall moulder to dnst and together shall die. 

The infant a mother attended and loved; 
The mother that infant's affection who proved; 
The husband that mother and infant who blessed — 
Each, all, are away to their dwellings of rest. 

The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye. 
Shone beauty and pleasure — her triumphs are by: 
And the memory of those who loved her and praised 
Are alike from the minds of the living erased. 



And in England 147 



The hand of the king that the cepter hath borne; 
The brow of the priest that the miter hath worn; 
The eye of the sage, and the heart of the braTe, 
Are hidden and lost in the depth of the grave. 

The peasant whose lot was to sow and to reap; 
The herdsman who climbed with his goats up the steep; 
The beggar who wandered in search of his bread, 
Have faded away like the grass that we tread. 

The saint who enjoyed the communion of heaven; 
The sinner who dared to remain unforgiven; 
The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just, 
Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust. 

So the multitude goes like the flowers or theweed 
That wither away to let others succeed; 
So the multitude comes, even those we hold. 
To repeat every tale that has often been told. 

For we are the Bame our fathers have been; 
We see the same sights our fathers have seen; 
We drink the same stream, and view the same sun, 
And run the same course our fathers have run. 

The thoiights we are thinking our fathers would think; 
From the death we are shrinking our fathers would shrink; 
To the life we are clinging they also would cling; 
But it speeds for us all like a bird on the wing. 

They loved, but the story we cannot iinfold; 
They scorned, but the heart of the haughty is cold; 
They grieved, but no wail from their slumber will come; 
They joyed, but the tongue of their gladness is dumb. 

They died, aye! they died; and we things that are now, 
Who walk on the turf that lies over their brow. 
Who make in their dwelling a transient abode, 
Meet the things that they met on their pil.^rim road. 



148 The Purmorts in America 



Yea! hope and despondency, pleasure and pain, 
We mingle together in sunshine and rain; 
And the smiles and the tears, the song and the dirge. 
Still follow each other like surge upon surge. 

'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath, 
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death. 
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud — 
Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud. 



Conclusion 

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter : Fear God, 
and keep his commandments ; for this is the whole duty of man. 
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every 
secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl. 
12-13-14. 



INDEX 



General Subjects. 

Autograph Philemon Purmort 41 

Antimonian Heresy 25 

Boston, Old and New 21 

Latin School 21-23 

Hist. Society 23 

First Church Records 20-41 

Town Records 18-21 

Coat of Arms Explained 8 

Combination at Exeter, N. H 36 

Conclusion 148 

"County Records" by A. D. Weld French 17 

Drake's History 28 

England Purmort Pedigree 14-16-17 

Exeter, N. H., Hist, by Chas. H. Bell 13 

Generations of Purmorts in America : 

First ' 38 

Second 41 

Third 42 

Fourth 47 

Fifth 49 

Sixth 54 

Seventh 67 

Eighth 10 T 

Ninth 135 

Tenth 144 

Genealogist 13 

History, Wells & Kennebunk 28 

Iron Works 58 

Jay, Bell at. Poem 100 

History of 54 



INDEX (continued) 

Littleton Historical Society 24 

Latin School Masters 22 

Massachusetts Bay Royal Charter 24 

Name Purniort — Orthography 9-10 

Etymology 10-13 

New Eng. Hist, and Geneal. Reg 20 

"O Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud." Poem 146 

Preface 5 

Savage's Gen. Dictionary of New England 18-20 

Tablet Memorial Philemon Purmort 23-31 

Town Meeting 21-23 

Visitation Records 14 

Young People's Weekly 21 



INDEX (continued) 

PURMORTS. 

Anna of Philemon 19 

of John ( I ) 47 

Bell of Chas. La Doyt 142 

Abner D. ( i ) of Joseph 50-64 

D. (2) of John 67-98 

A. of Abner D. (2) 99-134 

Abigal of John ( i ) 47 

S. of Nathaniel 91-128 

Adaniram J. of John (3) .... 58-80 

Aurela of Richard 64 

Albina of Richard 64-95 

Almira H. of John 66-97 

of Nathaniel 64-93 

H. of Nathaniel 91-128 

Ada L. of Abner D. (2) 99-134 

Arthur of Racine 133-144 

Algetha of Joshua 62-90 

Borshua of Philemon 19 

Blake P. of Richard 64 

Belle of Racine 132-144 

Chales of Joshua 62-90 

H. of Minor 90-122 

Warren of Mark 93-129 

M. of Minor La Doyt 120-141 

Elliott of Chas. H , 125 

La Doyt of Conant 126-142 

E. of Herbert C 143 

Cynthia M. of Abner D. ( i ) 65-96 

Christopher L. D. of John 66 

L. D. (2) of John 67-98 

Charlotte B. of John 66 

Conant S. of Charles 91-125 

S. of James W 142 

Clara A. of Mark 93 

J. of John Y q8 



-7 



INDEX (continued) 

Christine E, of Lucius A 1 15-140 

Clyde A. L. of Minor La Doyt 120-141 

Dunham of A'lark 63 

Disa of Nathaniel 64-93 

of Joseph 91-126 

Elizabeth of Philemon 19-35 

Eunice of Joshua 62 

of Charles 90 

B. of Charles La Doyt 142 

Elias of Philemon 19 

Emily of John 66 

Ely Stone of John (4) 71-101 

Ellen Perlena of Minor 89-117 

M. of Joseph H 94-132 

G. of Minor La Doyt 120 

Esther R. of Minor 90 

Eugene H. of Henry C 1 17 

Etta Claire of Chas. H 125 

Ethel of Racine I33-I44 

Everitt L. of Chas. La Doyt 142 

Francis Way land of Minor 89 

Fred M. of Mark 93-I30 

Frank Walworth of Minor La Doyt 120-143 

W. of Chas. Warren 128-143 

Flora Bell of Conant S 126 

Frances L. of Racine 132-144 

Francis Walworth of Frank W 141 

Fidelia M. of Clyde A. L 141 

Geo. Arnold of John (3) 58-76-77 

Walworth of Minor 89 

Henry of Ely Stone 101-136 

C. of Chas. W 129 

Ely of Geo. H 138 

Lawrence of Frank W 141 

H. of Lucius A 1 15-139 

Govenor W. of Abner D. (2) 99-134 



INDEX (continued) 

Guy W. of Lucius A 1 15-140 

of Mark H 129-143 

Genevieve of Racine 133-144 

Grace W. of Clyde A. L 141 

Hannah 45 

of John ( I ) ■ 47 

of Joseph 50 

of Richard 64-Q5 

S. of Abner D. ( i ) 65-95 

Harriet H. of John (3) 58-78-79 

of John (4) 71-101 

Hiram of Nathaniel 64-93 

Hymen F. of Richard 64-95 

Henry C. of Adoniram J 81-115 

Hartwell of Adoniram J 81 

Henrietta F. of Mark 93-129 

Harwood of Wm. Wallace 1 10 

Harry R. of Lucius A 1 15-140 

Herbert C. of Chas. Warren 129-143 

Hazel Marion of Osgood L 132 

Herman B. of Racine 132-144 

Helen May of Geo. H 138 

of Wallace O 1 39 

Howard F. of Herbert C 143 

Ida M. of Mark 93- 1 30 

Tola Wayland of James W 142 

Joseph of New Castle i9-t3 

of John ( T ) 47-49 

of Mark 63-91 

Hazen of Nathaniel 64-94 

of Abner D. ( i ) 65-95 

C. of Christopher L. D 98-133 

M. of Conant S 126-141 

John ( I ) of New Castle 47 

(2) of John (i) 47 

(3) of John (2) 49-55 

(4) of John (3) 57-67 



INDEX (continued) 

(5) of John (4) 71-101 

of Joseph 50-66 

of Nathaniel 64-93 

Y. of Christopher L. D 67-08 

E. of Abner D. (2) 99-133 

R. of Ely Stone loi 

Judith 46 

Joshua of John (2) 49-59-Go 

James Harvey of John (3) 58-73 

C. of Wm. Wallace 1 10-139 

W. of Conant S 126-142 

Jennette of Nathaniel 73 

Jennie G. of Lucius A 1 15-139 

Julia Crete of Chas. H 125 

Katie of Mark 93 

M. of Abner D. (2) 99-135 

Lazurus of Philemon 19-42 

Lucy of Joshua 62-83 

Lewis H. of John 67 

of Joshua 62 

Berry of Nathaniel 91-126-127 

A. of Lewis Berry 128-142 

Louisa of Nathaniel 73-110 

Lavina of Nathaniel 73-1 1 1 

Lucius A. of Geo. Arnold 77-1 14 

L. Louande of Minor 90 

Lydia S. of John 03 

Lottie M. of John Y 98-133 

Lucia E. of Abner D. (2) 99-135 

La Doyt G. of Frank W 141 

Louisa E. of Clyde A. L 141 

of Herman B 1 44 

Lourome E. of James W 14 

Lillian Gage of Herbert C 143 

?\fartha of Philemon 19 



o 



INDEX (continued) 

Mark of John ( i ) 47 

of John (2) 49-62 

of Mark 63-92 

E. of John 67 

H. of Nathaniel 91-128 

E. of Abner D. (2) 99-134 

Mary of Philemon 19 

of John ( I) 47-53 

of John (2) 49-S5 

of Mark 63 

L. of Nathaniel 73-i 13 

A. of Mark 92 

T. of Joseph H 94 

H. of Wm. Wallace no 

A. of Mark 129 

Ann of Geo. H 138 

A. of Wallace 139 

Miriam of Joseph 50-64 

Minor of Joshua 62-83 

La Doyt of Minor 89-119 

T. of Hiram 93-131 

La Doyt of Chas. H 125 

Mercy D. of Abner D 65 

Malvina of John (4) 71-101 

Maria of Nathaniel 73-i 1 1 

Merrill C. of Nathaniel 91 

Martin Van Buren of John 93-131 

Mercia E. of Joseph H 95 

Margery Jane of Chas. H 125 

Mable M. of Chas. Warren 129 

Mae of Racine 133-144 

Mable G. of Geo. H 138-144 

Max Wales of Geo. H 138 

Nathaniel of John (2) 49-63 

of John "(3) 57-7 

of Mark 63-91 

of Hiram 93-131 

H. of Wm. Wallace 1 10-139 



o 



INDEX (continued) 

Nettie of Wm. Wallace no 

Olive W. of John (4) 71-103-104 

Osgood L. of Joseph H 95-132 

Philemon of England 13-18-35 

Pediah of Philemon 19 

Polly of John (3) 57 

B. of John 66-Q7 

M. of John 93-131 

Philura of John (3) 58-/3 

Phineas of John (3) 58 

Perlena V. of Chas. H 124 

Paul Walworth of Clyde A. L 141 

Pearl M. of James W 142 

Richard of John (i) 47-51 

of John (2) 49-61 

of Mark 63 

Rosamond of John (3) 57-71 

of John (4) 71-107 

Wayland of Minor La Doyt 120 

Roxanna Love of Minor 90-120 

Racine of Hymen F 95-132 

Susan of Bellingham, Eng ^3-i8-35 

Sarah of John (3) 58-76 

E. of Abner D 65-96 

of Nathaniel 73-110 

Ann of Minor 90-121 

F. of John 93-131 

lone of Hymen F 95-133 

Susanah of Joshua 62 

of Mark 63 

Sophronia E. of John 67-97 

Sanford W. of Minor La Dovt 120-141 

W. of Sanford W ' 141 

Thomas of John (2) 49 

\Vm. Wallace of Nathaniel 73-io3 



INDEX (continued) 

Walter of Mark 02 

Will F. of Ely Stone loi 

Wm. N. of Wm. Wallace 109-138 

Wallace L. of Wm. N 13S 

O. of Wm. Wallace 1 10-138 

Wm. R. of Racine 133-H4 

Wales Ely of Ely Stone 101-135 

Zulu May of Lewis P. T28-143 



INDEX (continued) 

Other Names. 

Adams family 36 

Austin, Byron B 97 

Allen, Rev. John W 120 

Bellinglam Pedigree 39 

Byington, Dr. E. H 20 

Brooks, Dr. Phillips 23-25 

Blake, Cynthia 65 

Booth, Emiline 1 77 

Buttrick, W. H 78 

Sarah W 79. 

Barker, David 83 

Bissell, Mr 90 

Big-elow, Rev 95 

Blake, Mr 95 

Bell, Freeborn E 96 

Boynton, N. C 101-103 

Byron 107 

Blish, Lillian M 116 

Brumback, J. S 117 

Batchelder, H. R 129 

Bean, Mary F 131 

Buckley, May 136 

Benns, Helen G 136 

Brown, Rev. J. M 145 

Cotton, Rev. John 21-28 

Solomon 46 

Colb\-, Hannah 



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0- 

Sarah 91 

Crane, Haiuiah T 91 

Colgrove, Hampton 07 

Conro, F. H loi 

Clark, Emeline 109 

Cook, J. B 114 

Carr, Olive B 142 



INDEX (continued) 

Dalloff, Mercy 49 

Dole, Abig^al 63 

Phoebe 63 

Davis, Jesse B 79 

Dee, Clarrissa 98 

DeKalb, Ermina 109 

Dunham, Ehnira 114 

Davidson, Martha E 125 

Day, Hannah C 131 

Eames, Ellen 99 

Eames, Melville Cox 103-106 

Evans, Melville Cox 103-106 

Elliott, Mary Etta 123 

Foster, Amande D 65 

Farnham, Elizabeth 93 

Foster, E. E 128 

Forman, Alice 142 

Gore, Geo 95 

Gelmore, Lucia 98 

Gage, Susan E 1 29 

Goodrich, Nathan 131 

Gile, Jennie E 132 

Gidding-s, Louisa 134 

Gillis, Helen M 134 

Gillman, Helen P 143 

Gleason, Bertha M 141 

George, Lizzie 144 

Hutchinson, Ann 25-32 

Hancock, Mr 64 

Harwood, Parmelia y^^ 

Perez 74 

Hastings, Laura 95 

Hart, Frank 99-^34 

Horton, Chas 126 

Simon 131 



INDEX (continued) 

Harris, W 128 

Hong-h, Henry B 132 

Holden, Jessie 134 

Hemphill, Prof. Geo 144 

Hott. Florence 141 

Jordan, Amanda B Si 

Knight, A. B iri-112 

Kroh, Geo. L 121 

Leavitt, Clarissa A 92 

Mathews, Rev. John 79 

Mitchell, Sarah 91 

Myers, O. P no 

Morris, J. L in 

McBratin, Will 144 

Nettleton, Perlene 84-85-86 

Newell, L. B no 

Norris, Cora 129 

Peck, Susan 65 

Joel 71 

Packard. Martha H 92 

Porter, Emily 98 

Parson, May Ann loi 

Philbrick, Frank W 143 

Pettengill, Susan 66 

Sarah 93 

Phillips, Ruth 66 

Pennock, Mr 95 

Randall, F. E 99-135 

Ripley, Mary 132 

Ryan, Emme H 143 

Sinclair, Hannah 47 

Stone, Lois 71 

Stow, Rev. Byron 88 

Sawyer, Eunice 90 



INDEX (continued) 

Sargent, J. E 93 

E. M 94 

Mary A 131 

Smith, Eliza 96 

Willoughby 96 

Caroline 9^ 

Sharrocks, A. J 99 

Stiles, Eliza A loi 

Sullivan, Mary 133 

Sigler, Adda P 138 

Spalding, Ellen E 143 

Truax, Amanda B 65-96-97 

True, Marcia E 94 

Turner, Fannie B 138 

Bessie 14T 

Wheelwright, Rev. John 20-26-32-33-34 

Woodsy, Hannah 49 

Walworth, Sarah 57 

Eunice 59 

Webster, Alonza A ' 97 

Watson, Fidelia S 119 

Willard, Frances 126 

Williams, Wm. A 133 

Wood, C H 133 

Wagner, Ann 138 

Winthrop, Gov. John 21 



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